TL;DR: Hurricane, Utah, declared a local emergency on Oct. 22, 2026, after flash flooding impacted about 80 homes and 50 RVs and triggered evacuations, while a broad flood warning covers Lake Powell and surrounding basins through mid-Friday.

Emergency Declared After Thursday Flooding

A local emergency has been declared in Hurricane after heavy rainfall on Thursday led to widespread flooding that has affected more than 100 residential structures in the southwest Utah city, according to KSL.com.

Hurricane Mayor Clark Fawcett ordered the declaration Thursday afternoon, hours after police advised residents in the Willow Wind complex, 80 S. 1150 West, to evacuate, along with residents along Gould Wash, according to KSL.com.

The article, posted Oct. 22, 2026, at 10:28 a.m. and updated Oct. 22, 2026, at 3:50 p.m., reports that approximately 80 residential homes and another 50 recreational vehicles at Willow Wind RV Park were impacted, based on initial assessments.

"The full extent and severity of the damage, as well as the potential displacement of residents, remain under assessment," Hurricane officials wrote in a statement cited by KSL.com.

City officials have yet to determine the cost of the infrastructure damage, but the declaration allows them to begin exploring state and federal resources, according to KSL.com.

A separate report by KUTV states that Hurricane City Mayor Clark Fawcett issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency due to the ongoing flooding and associated impacts, and that the declaration authorizes the city to continue necessary emergency actions to protect life and property, assess damage, establish road closures and safety restrictions, clear debris, support affected residents, and document emergency response activities and expenditures.

That proclamation also provides for coordination and requests for assistance, and will remain in effect until terminated as provided by law, according to KUTV. The city's Emergency Operations Plan and related procedures were also activated, according to KUTV.

Where Evacuations Were Ordered

Hurricane residents along the Gould Wash were ordered to evacuate immediately as a large flood wave moved downstream through the city, according to KUTV.

Residents who live in homes along Gould Wash or in the WillowWind RV park at 80 South and 1150 West were ordered to immediately evacuate due to active or imminent flooding, according to KUTV.

The evacuation order covered the Willow Wind Complex at 80 South 1150 West and homes along Gould Wash because of active or imminent flooding, with the order issued Thursday morning after flooding began, according to information summarized by Washington County Emergency Management reporting referenced in local coverage.

Videos sent to KSL by residents show water cascading down several streets in Hurricane, with water up to the grills of cars and trucks in some locations, according to KSL.com.

KUTV reported that officials also cut off power to the Pecan Meadow and Pecan Valley townhomes and the WillowWind RV park.

"Flooding has also damaged or affected bridges, culverts, public roadways and electrical power boxes," the city added in a statement cited by KSL.com. "Mud and debris covering roadways, along with potential impacts to utility infrastructure, have created public safety concerns and may disrupt essential services."

KUTV similarly reported that the flooding also damaged or affected bridges, culverts, public roadways, and electrical power boxes, and quoted a city press release stating that mud and debris covering roadways, along with potential impacts to utility infrastructure, have created public safety concerns and may disrupt essential services.

Shelter And Medical Aid Locations

Medical personnel were staged at the Coral Cliffs movie theater, 835 W. State Street, for any residents who may need medical assistance, the police department said, according to KSL.com.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened a stake center as an emergency shelter for those displaced by the flooding, located at 272 S. 700 West, according to KSL.com.

KUTV reported the same locations, stating that medical personnel are staged at the Coral Cliffs movie theater at 835 West State Street for residents needing medical attention, and that the LDS Stake Center at 272 South 700 West is being opened as an emergency shelter.

The American Red Cross is assisting those impacted by the floods, and Red Cross officials said anyone in need of assistance can call 1-800-RED-CROSS, according to KUTV.

Utah Public Radio reported that the American Red Cross set up an emergency shelter for impacted residents and that local police ordered an evacuation Thursday morning for the Willow Wind RV Park and homes along Gould Wash in Hurricane due to active flooding.

City officials urge residents to use caution around any flooded areas, following posted road closures, detours or instructions from emergency personnel, according to KSL.com.

"Residents should not enter flooded roadways or areas where water, mud, debris or infrastructure damage may present a hazard. Conditions may change as response and assessment operations continue," they added in the statement cited by KSL.com.

KUTV reported that the city encouraged residents to remain alert, use caution around flooded areas, and follow posted road closures, detours, and instructions from emergency personnel.

What Triggered The Hurricane Flood Wave

The National Weather Service eventually issued a flash flood warning for southeastern Washington County, including Hurricane, shortly before 10 a.m., according to KSL.com.

The agency warned that between 1 and 2 inches of rain had fallen across the headwaters of Gould Wash, creating a large flood wave that was moving downstream through Hurricane, according to KSL.com.

KUTV reported that the warning for Hurricane was issued at 9:52 a.m., with officials noting that one to two inches of rain had already fallen across the Gould Wash.

"A large flood wave is moving downstream through Hurricane. Flash Flooding is ongoing," the warning reads, as quoted by KUTV.

Officials said life-threatening flash floods are possible in creeks and streams, urban areas, roads and underpasses, according to KUTV.

Hurricane officials said they had been monitoring the forecast and conditions and sent a notification to residents in the floodplain about impending extreme weather, according to KSL.com.

KUTV advised readers that officials said to turn around and not drown when encountering flooded roads, noting that most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Expansive Warning For Lake Powell Region

Federal forecasters previously issued a flood watch for most of southern and central Utah over flooding potential from a system passing through Utah this week, according to KSL.com.

However, the weather service issued a rare, expansive flood warning across many parts of southeast and south-central Utah, which appears to cover areas east and west of the Colorado River south of Moab, according to KSL.com.

"Flooding of normally dry washes, slot canyons, rivers, creeks and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is occurring," the warning states, as quoted by KSL.com, explaining that heavy rainfall and near-saturated soils will allow flows to remain high across all waterways within the warned area, which includes all of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell.

Areas near the Paria River, Wahweep Creek, Warm Creek, Last Chance Creek, Croton Canyon and the Escalante River Basin and their tributaries are also included in the warning, which lasts through 12:15 p.m. on Friday, according to KSL.com.

Many backcountry roads within the warning area are expected to become impassable, the agency added, according to KSL.com.

KUTV reported that National Weather Service officials issued multiple flood warnings Thursday morning for southern Utah, including southeastern Washington County, southwestern Grand County and northeastern San Juan County, with at-risk areas including Hurricane City, Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park.

Just minutes before the warning was issued in Washington County, one was sent out for Grand County and San Juan County, where officials noted ongoing flooding in Bartlett Wash and Hunters Canyon and potential flooding in Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point, according to KUTV. Officials warned of rivers, creeks and streams potentially flooding, noting that 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain had fallen in that area, according to KUTV.

Road Closures And Other Flood Reports

Flooding elsewhere in the state also closed a section of state Route 24 in Capitol Reef National Park, according to KSL.com.

The highway is closed from mileposts 81 to 86 because of flooding debris, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office said, and it may remain in place for several hours, according to KSL.com.

Other periodic flood warnings have been issued in other parts of both regions over the past couple of days, including ones at Zion National Park and the Pine Valley area of Washington County earlier on Thursday, according to KSL.com.

The system already dumped more than 2 inches of rain in the Monument Valley and Monticello areas on Wednesday, said KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson, while many other parts of southern Utah already received more than an inch of rain, according to KSL.com.

Utah Public Radio reported that much of southern Utah is under either a flood watch or warning through Thursday evening, and that a flash flood warning is in place for west central Kane County and east central Washington County until 6:45 p.m.

Forecast Through The Weekend

While the low-pressure system was originally expected to split up, impacting southern and central Utah before hitting northern Utah, scattered showers and thunderstorms are now forecast across the state on Thursday, according to KSL.com.

They are projected to target central and southern Utah the most in the morning and afternoon, while the chances of storms impacting the Wasatch Front and northern Utah will increase in the afternoon and evening, forecaster Matt Johnson said, according to KSL.com.

Some storms are expected to linger into Friday morning, especially across northern Utah, according to KSL.com. Additional spotty showers are possible throughout the rest of Friday as the system clears out, according to KSL.com.

Drier and cooler weather is forecast for the weekend, according to KSL.com.

Residents and visitors planning travel through flood-affected corridors should check road conditions and weather alerts before leaving, stay out of slot canyons and washes while warnings remain active, and follow instructions from emergency personnel and posted closures.

Sources referenced