Just months after the Forsyth Fire, which burned over 15,000 acres and 13 homes, Pine Valley faces a new threat: floods. (Photo: KUTV)
PINE VALLEY, Utah (KUTV) — Just months after the Forsyth Fire, which burned more than 15,000 acres and 13 homes, Pine Valley faces a new threat: floods.
The area experienced severe flash flooding this weekend from Hurricane Priscilla, with water reaching five feet deep and 400 feet wide, according to Pine Valley Fire Chief Robert Hardy.
Hardy said the flooding occurred in areas of the burn scar, as the depleted soil was unable to absorb the rain.
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“Right now, the mountain soils can’t handle it, so even a normal rainstorm can cause massive flooding,” Hardy said.
Many residents are now pumping mud from their lawns, sorting washed-up belongings from neighboring homes, and laying sandbags to prepare for this week’s expected rain.
Homeowner Dale Hagemeyer laid down a new foundation a week ago. His home was one of those destroyed during the Forsyth Fire. Now, his foundation is filled with five feet of rainwater and debris.
“It’s a punch-counter-punch when you lose your home, and now we have a flood,” he said. “It’s incredibly discouraging.”
Hardy said there is “no way” for residents to ensure getting the help they need during a storm, with some road conditions impossible to surpass.
Hoping to prevent future floods from happening, the Washington County Public Works Department is using new $1.4 million funding toward the Pine Valley burn scar. By the end of the year, they plan to start adding detention basins, clearing out and reinforcing waterways, and planting native species to help absorb water.
While this effort is only for private lands, they said the U.S. Forest Service will handle public areas, including roads and the campground.
“We are trying as fast as we can,” said Washington County Public Works Director Todd Edwards. “Mother nature doesn’t always work on our timeline.”
Hagemeyer said the community has stood out as his best source for relief.
“There’s been a lot of really sympathetic people. It’s been fantastic,” he said. “You can see all these neighbors helping, and it really shows the value and strength of community.”
To best stay ahead of future emergency weather events, Chief Hardy urged residents to sign up for Reverse 911. The service will alert Washington County residents of time-sensitive risks via landline phone, cell phone, text, or email.
“This will be going on for years,” he said.
He also said to stay clear of the Pine Valley Recreation Area, as there is a risk for injury.
There are no other major road closures at this time.