Utah, 1997

Flash Flood in Utah, May 15, 1997

May 15, 1997 · NWS SLC · 1 event in 1 county or zone

During the early morning hours a canal broke in Draper. High waters due to the runoff of an above normal snow pack in the mountains caused the break.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$1.2 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
1

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS SLC wrote it up.

During the early morning hours a canal broke in Draper. High waters due to the runoff of an above normal snow pack in the mountains caused the break. 10 homes in the Victor's Pond subdivision were flooded with a combination of water, mud and debris. One home's basement filled with 7' of water and mud. Fortunately no one was injured but the flood damage was quite extensive.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

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Event by event

1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Salt Lake

When
May 15, 6:30 AM MST to 11:30 AM MST
Where
Salt Lake County, Draper
Property damage
$1.2 million
Coordinates
40.668, -111.924 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Utah in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Utah, May 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5622790.