Utah has experienced higher than normal snowpack this winter. That snowpack, along with spring rains, will potentially cause higher stream flows, higher water tables, and inundation of areas not subject to water flow in normal years.
Residents are encouraged to be aware of the potential for flooding this spring and take measures to protect areas near their homes by clearing out rain gutters, downspouts, and storm drains. Check your landscaping to make sure water drains away from your home.
If you need to report flooding:
• Call 9-1-1 if it is a life-or-death emergency.
• Call (801) 840-4000 if you have a non-emergency but require police or fire assistance.
• Call (385) 468-6600 if you see water from a creek or river that is going over bridges or roadways or if you see street, intersection, or parking lot flooding. The operator will ask you some questions and take down your information.
• Call (385) 468-6101 if you see flooding on a roadway that is located away from a creek or river. This is most likely a storm drain issue.
Where Can I Pick Up Sandbags?
To find self-serve sandbagging locations where you can get sandbags or fill and leave them for others to take, go to this link: slco.to/RunoffReady. These locations are typically open during normal business hours so feel free to go whenever it’s convenient for you.
If you have used sandbags and they have been in contact with “RUNOFF” water, you can dispose of the sand in your yard and use the sand. If the sandbags have become contaminated by being in contact with service drain water from street drains or possible septic systems, the sand and the bags will have to be disposed of as hazardous material. The county is working on a plan to collect these bags. Under no circumstances are the sandbags, contaminated or uncontaminated, to be dumped into any streams, creeks, or rivers.
Is your home in a flood zone?
SLCo Flood Plain Map: msc.fema.gov/portal/home
SLCo Emergency Management: slco.to/RunoffReady
FEMA Flood Plain Map: https://msc.fema.gov Utah Risk Map: https://floodhazardsutah.gov
What to do during a flood?
Salt Lake County Watershed Streamflow and Precipitation https://rain-flow.slco.org
• Listen to the radio or TV for announcements about rainstorms and the potential for flooding. Information on floods can change quickly, so make sure that you are constantly monitoring if a flood is likely in your area.
• Move immediately to higher ground if a flash flood is possible.
• Keep children and pets away from swift, high water in rivers, creeks or canals.
• Be aware of rivers, streams, and drainage channels that can overflow and cause a flood.
• If you must evacuate, secure your home if you have time. Move essential items to the second floor of the house in case the floodwater goes higher than a few inches or feet.
• Turn off utilities before leaving the house.
What NOT to do during a flood?
• Don’t turn on the electricity when the house is flooded. You may get electrocuted.
• Do not drive through floodwaters. You do not know how deep the water is or how fast-moving it is.
• Don’t ignore flood warnings. Evacuate immediately when the order is given.
• Don’t forget your emergency kit when you evacuate.
Volunteers
Salt Lake County Emergency Management has launched its Volunteer GivePulses platform. You can sign up to be a volunteer at countywide events. Here is the webpage:
https://givepul.se/uei1te