Alert archive / Utah / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 20, NWS Salt Lake City, UT
NWS Salt Lake City, UT issued this flash flood warning at Jul 17, 2026, 12:11 PM MDT for Piute County, Utah. It was in force for 5 hr. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Jul 17, 2026, 12:11 PM MDT (18:11 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 17, 2026, 5:15 PM MDT
- In force
- 5 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Salt Lake City, UT
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Flood severity
- None
County Piute County, UT
The radar
The Cedar City radar (KICX), 99 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:13 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 17, 1:27 PM MDT | FLASH FLOOD | 4 Sse Marysvale, UT | UDOT traffic reported debris on roadway on US-89 at milepost 175, road closed in both directions. |
| Jul 17, 4:30 PM MDT | FLASH FLOOD | 4 Sse Marysvale, UT | A secondary flood wave moved down Cottonwood Creek reaching US-89. The highway was reportedly closed for at least 3 hours. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 2 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 76 minutes after it went out.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The text
As transmitted.
054
WGUS55 KSLC 171811
FFWSLC
UTC031-172115-
/O.NEW.KSLC.FF.W.0020.260717T1811Z-260717T2115Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1211 PM MDT Fri Jul 17 2026
The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
West Central Piute County in central Utah...
* Until 315 PM MDT.
* At 1211 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.3 and 0.6 inches of
rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly.
Excessive rainfall over the Cottonwood burn scar will result in
debris flow moving through the Ten Mile Creek and Cottonwood Creek.
The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose
materials.
HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
producing flash flooding.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Ten Mile Creek and Cottonwood Creek toward US-89.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause
extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks...streams...and
ditches in the Burn Scar. Severe debris flows can also be
anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in
places. If you encounter flood waters...climb to safety.
Move away from recently burned areas. Life-threatening flooding of
creeks, roads and normally dry washes is likely. The heavy rains
will likely trigger rockslides, mudslides and debris flows in steep
terrain, especially in and around these areas.
&&
LAT...LON 3829 11218 3830 11234 3833 11233 3835 11233
3836 11235 3839 11234 3842 11218 3836 11216
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
$$
Church3 follow-up statements
801
WGUS75 KSLC 172016
FFSSLC
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
216 PM MDT Fri Jul 17 2026
UTC031-172115-
/O.CON.KSLC.FF.W.0020.000000T0000Z-260717T2115Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Piute UT-
216 PM MDT Fri Jul 17 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 315 PM MDT THIS
AFTERNOON FOR WEST CENTRAL PIUTE COUNTY...
At 216 PM MDT, emergency management reported a debris flow from the
Cottonwood burn scar from Gold Gulch across US-89 near mile post
175. UDOT reported US-89 was closed in both directions at this mile
post. Between 0.3 and 0.6 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding
is already occurring.
Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow
moving through the Gold Gulch, Ten Mile Creek and Cottonwood Creek.
The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose
materials.
HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
flash flooding.
SOURCE...Emergency management reported.
IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Gold Gulch, Ten Mile Creek and Cottonwood Creek to US-89.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause
extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks...streams...and
ditches in the Burn Scar. Severe debris flows can also be
anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in
places. If you encounter flood waters...climb to safety.
Move away from recently burned areas. Life-threatening flooding of
creeks, roads and normally dry washes is likely. The heavy rains
will likely trigger rockslides, mudslides and debris flows in steep
terrain, especially in and around these areas.
&&
LAT...LON 3829 11218 3830 11234 3833 11233 3835 11233
3836 11235 3839 11234 3842 11218 3836 11216
FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
$$
Church217
WGUS55 KSLC 172114
FFWSLC
UTC031-172315-
/O.EXT.KSLC.FF.W.0020.000000T0000Z-260717T2315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
314 PM MDT Fri Jul 17 2026
The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has extended the
* Flash Flood Warning for...
West Central Piute County in central Utah...
* Until 515 PM MDT.
* At 314 PM MDT, emergency management reported a debris flow from
the Cottonwood burn scar from Gold Gulch across US-89 near mile
post 175. UDOT reported US-89 was closed in both directions at
this mile post. Between 0.3 and 0.6 inches of rain have fallen. An
additional 0.2 to 0.4 inches of rain have recently re-developed
over the burn scar. Flash flooding is already occurring and could
increase again with additional runoff.
Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow
moving through the Gold Gulch, Ten Mile Creek and Cottonwood Creek.
The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose
materials.
HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
producing flash flooding.
SOURCE...Emergency management reported.
IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Gold Gulch, Ten Mile Creek and Cottonwood Creek to US-89.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause
extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks...streams...and
ditches in the Burn Scar. Severe debris flows can also be
anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in
places. If you encounter flood waters...climb to safety.
Move away from recently burned areas. Life-threatening flooding of
creeks, roads and normally dry washes is likely. The heavy rains
will likely trigger rockslides, mudslides and debris flows in steep
terrain, especially in and around these areas.
&&
LAT...LON 3829 11218 3830 11234 3833 11233 3835 11233
3836 11235 3839 11234 3842 11218 3836 11216
FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
$$
Church877
WGUS75 KSLC 172319
FFSSLC
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
519 PM MDT Fri Jul 17 2026
UTC031-172329-
/O.EXP.KSLC.FF.W.0020.000000T0000Z-260717T2315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Piute UT-
519 PM MDT Fri Jul 17 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING HAS EXPIRED FOR WEST CENTRAL PIUTE COUNTY...
While the heavy rain has ended, as of 501 PM, per UDOT, US-89 near
mile post 175 remains closed in both directions near mile post 175
due to debris on roadway from earlier flash flooding. Continue to
heed road closures and check traffic conditions at UDOT Traffic.
A Flood Watch remains in effect until 1200 AM MDT Saturday for
portions of southern and southwest Utah.
&&
LAT...LON 3829 11218 3830 11234 3833 11233 3835 11233
3836 11235 3839 11234 3842 11218 3836 11216
$$
ChurchWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Salt Lake City, UT wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 17, 12:10 PM MDT, 1 minute earlier. Its key messages:
- Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop across portions of central, southern, northeast UT, and southwest WY each afternoon within this forecast as monsoonal moisture continues making its way north.
- The risk for flash flooding exists across the majority of the forecast area, highlighted by WPC with a Marginal Risk (1/4) of exceeding flash flood guidance each day encompassing nearly all of UT. A Slight Risk (2/4) of exceeding flash flood guidance exists across southwest UT this afternoon and Saturday.
- A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for southern UT and portions of Central UT this afternoon, ending around midnight. Another Flash Flood Watch has been issued for tomorrow afternoon, encompassing the same areas.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 17, 12:10 PM MDT, 1 minute before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1210 PM MDT Fri Jul 17 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop across
portions of central, southern, northeast UT, and southwest WY each
afternoon within this forecast as monsoonal moisture continues
making its way north.
- The risk for flash flooding exists across the majority of the
forecast area, highlighted by WPC with a Marginal Risk (1/4) of
exceeding flash flood guidance each day encompassing nearly all of
UT. A Slight Risk (2/4) of exceeding flash flood guidance exists
across southwest UT this afternoon and Saturday.
- A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect for southern UT and portions
of Central UT this afternoon, ending around midnight. Another Flash
Flood Watch has been issued for tomorrow afternoon, encompassing the
same areas.
&&
.DISCUSSION... A favorable monsoon pattern persists across the
southwest as large-scale ridging remains overhead. Beneath this
ridge, moisture continues to advect north across UT raising PWATs
areawide in excess of 1" of water across nearly all valley locations
with lower Washington county potentially seeing PWATs in excess of
1.6" this afternoon. This pattern is forecast to persist over the
next week or so, keeping chances for rain and thunderstorms each
afternoon in the forecast for most locations across the state with a
particular emphasis on southern UT. Chances for rain and
thunderstorms begin to increase across northern UT today, increasing
more near the end of the week as deeper moisture continues to advect
north.
With PWAT anomalies statewide ranging from 0.5" to nearly 1" this
afternoon, the threat for flash flooding is expected to continue.
The threat remains elevated due to weak steering flow aloft yielding
storm motions generally around 10kts or less. While this has
increased somewhat over the past couple days, deeper moisture
coupled with a taller, skinnier CAPE profile (potentially in excess
of 1000J/kg) with a deeper warm cloud layer supports another round
of efficient rainmakers with heavy rain expected from mature storms.
The stronger instability axis with CAPE values >= 1000J/kg currently
resides across southwestern UT, supported by both SPC Mesoanalysis
and current CAM guidance, with storms expected to initiate along
higher terrain and propagate down terrain toward the instability
gradients. The main concern with a more elevated flooding threat
further southeast would be cold pool development as storms propagate
west potentially raising CIN across southeastern UT. If initiation
were to occur earlier, however, a locally higher flooding threat may
develop across southeastern UT this afternoon. A nearly identical
threat exists Saturday as well given similar synoptics and moisture
quality across the region.
From Sunday on, some uncertainty develops regarding storm motions
which would potentially inhibit the flash flood threat. While
quality moisture remains in place, storm motions may potentially see
a slight uptick beginning Sunday as the aforementioned ridge slowly
shifts east. Slightly stronger southwest flow continues to push in
each afternoon from Monday on, potentially inhibiting this further
as storms may tend to move off terrain quicker instead of training
over one location. These details may be difficult to iron out fully
until the day before, though isolated flash flooding is expected at
a minimum each day going forward from Sunday on.
&&
.AVIATION...KSLC...Light southerly winds will be maintained over the
KSLC terminal through the morning hours, transitioning to a
northwest flow after 19-20Z. Vicinity showers are expected to build
over the high terrain around 21Z forward, introducing potential for
southerly outflow winds. There is around a 30-40% chance that
showers/ thunderstorms move off the terrain and over the airfield
after 22Z. VFR conditions are expected to prevail through the
period, however, any showers moving over the area may drop VIS to
the MVFR category.
REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING...Another day of afternoon
showers and thunderstorms is expected across Utah and southwest
Wyoming, with cells first building over the high terrain, then
drifting in adjacent valley areas through the afternoon. Gusty and
erratic outflow winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with any
storms, as well as heavy rainfall which may reduce VIS to 5SM or
less. Outside of any outflows, winds are expected to be generally
light and terrain driven.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER...Currently, monsoonal moisture continues to surge north
into UT increasing humidities and raising chances for showers and
thunderstorms across the state, both serving to moderate fire
weather conditions. Chances for showers and thunderstorms remain
highest across southwest UT, high terrain from southern to
northern UT, and the Uintas generally ranging from 60-90%.
Additionally, these locations are where a wetting rain is favored
this afternoon. Moisture continues to surge into northern UT into
this weekend, keeping chances for showers and thunderstorms
elevated into next week each afternoon.
&&
.SLC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
UT...Flood Watch until midnight MDT tonight for UTZ122>128.
Flood Watch from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening for
UTZ122>128.
WY...None.
&&
PUBLIC...Worster
AVIATION...Whitlam
FIRE WEATHER...Worster
For more information from NOAA's National Weather Service visit...
http://weather.gov/saltlakecityIn the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 17, 10:25 AM MDT, 1 hour 46 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1025 AM MDT Fri Jul 17 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0500 PM Flash Flood 19 W Big Water 37.07N 112.00W
07/15/2026 Kane UT Public
Backcountry guide reported that Buckskin
Gulch flashed at House Rock Valley Road and
downstream to Buckskin Trailhead.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Salt Lake City, UT issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 7:16 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | SLC | Cache | 29 min |
| Jul 16, 7:19 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | SLC | Washington | 3 hr |
| Jul 16, 7:44 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | SLC | Cache | 31 min |
| Jul 16, 8:17 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | SLC | Washington | 3 hr |
| Jul 17, 10:28 AM MDT | Flood Watch | SLC | Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Piute, Sevier and 2 more | 35 hr |
| Jul 17, 2:42 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | SLC | Piute | 3 hr |
| Jul 17, 3:38 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | SLC | Piute | 3 hr |
| Jul 17, 4:20 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | SLC | Iron, Washington | 3 hr |
| Jul 17, 4:26 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | SLC | Washington | 34 min |
| Jul 17, 5:31 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | SLC | Salt Lake | 44 min |
| Jul 17, 5:58 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | SLC | Washington | 3 hr |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Utah, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.