PINE VALLEY, Utah — Officials expect excessive rainfall over the burn scar to trigger flash floods in the area, affecting nearby roads and driveways.
The rainfall is expected to make landfall at the Forsyth Creek, Rock and Pole Canyons and the Santa Clara River. The flash floods are expected to carry rock, mud, vegetation and other loose and potentially dangerous materials.
Pine Valley officials had previously anticipated flash flood risks in the area as the remnants of Hurricane Pricilla passed through southern Utah.
Flash flood warnings, watches issued as tropical moisture surges into Utah
"We have ongoing flooding, and some suspected damage to homes that we haven't been able to fully assess yet. We have reached out to those that we expect have sustained damage," said Pine Valley Fire Chief Hardy. "If someone has specific concerns about their homes, they can reach out, and we will send somebody by to check their place. The only places of concern at the moment are those that border the drainages that exit the burn scar."
Rains may wreak havoc on burn areas left after Forsyth Fire in southern Utah
"This is all uncharted territory for us," admitted Pine Valley Fire Chief Robert Hardy. "We've never had this kind of a risk level for flash flooding and debris flows, and getting people trapped.
The Forsyth Fire destroyed 13 homes and left over 15,000 acres of burn scars. There have been countless community meetings and work to prepare for the worst, which would come in the form of a major downpour that could send torrents of water, mud, and debris through the valley.
In the issued flash flood warning, officials recommended that anyone encountering flood waters to climb to an elevated place for safety.
The flooding has turned local roads into rivers, with 200 South becoming particularly impassable. Fire officials reported flooding throughout the town via scanner communications.
For a time, the start of Pine Valley Road – the only road in and out of town – was closed after flood waters covered it. Washington County Sheriff deputies reopened it around 10 p.m. after being closed for about an hour. But with more fronts expected throughout the night, deputies cautioned it could be reclosed at any time.
Shortly after in a message posted on Facebook, Pine Valley Fire Chief Robert Hardy said there is suspected damage to some homes.
“We have reached out to those that we expect have sustained damage,” Hardy posted. “If someone has specific concerns about their homes, they can reach out, and we will send somebody by to check their place.”
During a brief break in the weather, residents emerged to survey the damage. Bradley Root, who lives on Forsyth Creek, said his property was spared thanks to channelization work completed after a recent fire.
"We live on Forsyth Creek. We have two acres up the road, and we've worked hard to channelize it after the fire to protect against this. Thank goodness it didn't flood us," Root said.
However, Root pointed to infrastructure issues contributing to the flooding problems.
"At 100 South, they only put one culvert under 100 South and the county should have put two or three and it's backed up there and come down the road," Root said.
Earlier in the week, Hardy told Fox 13 that the culverts were engineered before the Forsyth Fire literally changed the typography of the surrounding mountains.
“Most of the culverts that go through town were not engineered for the kind of flows that we're anticipating because of the burn. They're only about half the size that they're going to need to be to handle the anticipated debris and water flows from a burn scar runoff and the mitigation funds don't pay for that culvert replacement,” Hardy said Wednesday. “By saying the culverts are a problem, I don't mean in any way to diss the county. I just think that with this change in our environment now, down the road we're going to have to change the culverts. I don't know how soon or how long that will take.”
Despite the challenging conditions, Root said community spirits remain high.
"It's Pine Valley. We're always happy. I love it. And we were trying to be prepared for this," Root said.
