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Jed Boal ReportingSnow still piles up in Utah's mountains, but the state reminds us all, it's not too early to prepare for the potential for floods.
This is Flood Safety Awareness Week. A month from now, some communities in Utah may struggle to stay dry. It's too early to know where, but it's not too early to prepare.
The good news in northern Utah this spring is that snow run-off will fill all reservoirs except Bear Lake. Several will even spill over.
Last year, Utah endured two presidentially-declared flood disasters.
Derek Jensen, Utah Department of Public Safety: "There's always the possibility. We want to try to make people aware that the water's going to start coming down. There are things citizens can do to be prepared."
Prepare or update your 72-hour emergency kit, recognize potential flood threats in your community, and buy flood insurance if you think you might need it.
Derek Jensen: "There's no reason for alarm or panic, but there are things people can do in case it does happen."
Based on snowpack, Northern Utah runs the greatest risk of flooding, especially in the Cache Valley, the Bear River drainage and areas along the Wasatch Front.
Brian McInerney, NWS Senior Hydrologist: "We can have a flood event basically anywhere in the state, but specifically northern Utah with an intense rain event during run-off time."
Hydrologist Brian McInerney says flows from snowmelt alone do not typically cause floods; rain on top of run-off is trouble. So, what's the worst case scenario?
Brian McInerney, NWS Senior Hydrologist: "We would keep that snowpack as long as possible, into May, then turn the weather pattern around to bring a lot of heat and a lot of precipitation all at once. We could have some significant flooding."
But if the climate cooperates, it may not flood.
Emergency managers across the state learned valuable lessons last year. Public works crews will clear run-off channels, one million sandbags are ready, and communication lines are open.
