This afternoon, Salt Lake County extended the state of emergency that Mayor Wilson declared on April 13. Salt Lake County has experienced record-breaking snowpack, resulting in extremely high levels of water flowing through our rivers and streams. Recognizing the ongoing need for resources and additional staff to prepare for and address flooding, the resolution extends the state of emergency until June 13 (and can be extended at that point if needed; SLCo Flood Control expects to continue to be on high alert until at least early July).
“With such an unprecedented snowpack, we know there is potential for flooding. I am so thankful to our Flood Control crews who have spent the winter months preparing and are continuing to respond around the clock to prioritize residents’ safety and minimize property damage. While our systems and infrastructure are in place to handle our normal year-to-year averages, we cannot possibly predict the outcomes of a historic, natural event and this emergency declaration gives us additional resources to respond,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson.
“We are grateful for our county crews who continue to work hard mitigating flooding,” said Salt Lake County Council Chair Aimee Winder Newton. “A big thanks to volunteers who have helped with sandbags and support.”
The state of emergency allows the county to mobilize all available resources to address the current flood conditions, including deploying emergency response teams, increasing staffing levels, and utilizing specialized equipment to protect the residents and property of the county. It also enables the county to access additional resources from the state and federal government to help alleviate the impact of the flood.
Salt Lake County’s state of emergency declaration recognizes areas of flooding and necessary responses that have already occurred in Salt Lake City and Emigration Canyon Metro Township and the imminent threat of flooding in other municipalities and unincorporated areas within Salt Lake County.
The full declaration can be found here and extended resolution here.
Mayor Wilson urges all residents and businesses in the affected areas to take necessary precautions and stay informed of the situation through local media outlets and the county’s emergency management channels. Residents can find more information, including the floodplain map and sandbag locations, at slco.to/RunoffReady. Follow Salt Lake County on social media for flooding updates (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram).
An emergency operations center has been activated to coordinate the response efforts. The county is working closely with municipal, state, and federal officials to manage the evolving conditions and ensure that all necessary measures are taken to protect the residents and property.
The County will continue to provide updates on the situation as circumstances warrant and strongly encourages all residents to stay vigilant and take appropriate actions to ensure their safety and the safety of their families.
