THE TAKEAWAY:
Repeated rounds of rain transformed a normally dry wash into a raging torrent in Hurricane, Utah, on Thursday, inundating approximately 80 homes and 50 recreational vehicles and triggering life-threatening flash flooding and evacuations.
The flooding came as rare severe weather swept across the Southwest, sending muddy water through parts of the southern Utah city.
Mayor Clark Fawcett issued a proclamation of local emergency as crews worked to assess damage, restore access and respond to ongoing impacts.
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Local runoff transformed Gould’s Wash, a natural desert canyon, into a raging torrent that sent muddy floodwaters through nearby communities, forcing residents to evacuate as the water inundated the area.
The typically dry region was transformed by the heavy rainfall, with floodwaters turning streets into rushing waterways.
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"Hurricane City crews and emergency response partners have been actively responding to significant flooding and related infrastructure damage throughout the community," Hurricane City Emergency Services said in a press release.
City officials issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency on Thursday to address the ongoing flooding and assess the damage.
According to city officials, the flooding has already impacted 80 residential homes and 50 recreational vehicles at Willow Wind RV Park.
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In addition, bridges, culverts, public roadways and electrical power boxes were damaged or destroyed across the city.
"Mud and debris covering roadways, along with potential impacts to utility infrastructure, have created public safety concerns and may disrupt essential services," Hurricane City Emergency Services said.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox addressed the flooding on social media, saying, "We are closely monitoring the flash flooding in Hurricane. Our hearts are with the families whose homes and livelihoods have been impacted."
The intense flooding comes as severe storms swept through the region beginning Wednesday.
Hurricane experienced substantial flooding after more than an inch of rain fell in 12 hours, an unusually heavy amount for the typically dry region, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
Emergency officials are urging residents to remain alert, use caution around flooded areas, and follow posted road closures, detours and instructions from emergency personnel.
Residents should not enter flooded roadways or areas where water, mud, debris or infrastructure damage may pose a hazard.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
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