BEAVER, Utah (KUTV) — Multiple families have been temporarily displaced after floods and mudslides destroyed property and infrastructure in Southern Utah.
County and city leaders spoke with the community Monday morning, calling the weekend flooding in Beaver "devastating" and emphasizing that the flood risk is not over yet.
Multiple families were evacuated Sunday from the Grove neighborhood after large debris surged over a diversion dam and flowed downstream toward the area.
Homeowners will be temporarily allowed back into the area on Monday to assess the damage to their properties and retrieve items.
They asked that all others avoid the area and ground their drones.
MORE | Beaver Floods:
- Beaver residents advised to avoid tap water due to flood contamination
- GALLERY: Aftermath photos show devastation from Beaver County flooding
- Mudslide shuts down both directions of I-15 near Beaver
Flash floods are seen surging through the North Creek area of Beaver on Sunday, July 19. (Photo: Jessica Gillies)
Red Cross officials established a shelter at the local high school with snacks, bottled water and caseworkers to support displaced families.
Officials said there was no loss of life from the Cottonwood Fire or the floods, calling it a "miracle" that no one was killed in either natural disaster. They said that everyone evacuated safely and is accounted for.
However, officials said the mudslides and floods "compromised" every home in the Grove area down to I-15.
In addition to homes, the floods damaged roadways and the water system.
Chief Deputy Kiley Maycock with the sheriff's office said the freeway was backed up for four hours, as they tried to reroute cars to roads that were not full of debris.
A flash flood emergency was declared for Beaver after catastrophic flooding triggered by runoff from the Cottonwood Burn Scar sent massive debris flows toward residential neighborhoods. (Photo: Mike Bischoff)
Mayor Robinson spoke to the water system, saying part of it was washed out and needs repair.
He said in the best-case scenario, the water will ideally be cleaned of all contamination and drinkable in 48 hours for those who live west of the golf course. Those east of the golf course will likely have to wait longer as repairs are made.
As officials work to repair the damage from the floods, they also are preparing for possible future flooding along the Cottonwood Fire burn scar.
Crews are working on making the river bigger and removing debris to make space for water to flow through. They also are removing two bridges, one that is now unsafe and another that was catching debris.
"We understand this is an incredibly difficult and emotional time for everyone affected," officials with the sheriff's office said. "This disaster has placed an enormous strain on law enforcement, firefighters, Search and Rescue, dispatchers, utility crews, and many other emergency responders, as well as the homeowners and families impacted by this fire."
