BEAVER, Utah () — Beaver City officials held a briefing Saturday to share updates on flood damage, drinking water safety, cleanup efforts, and upcoming aid.
The briefing took place at Beaver City Hall, with a Q&A immediately afterward.
“This is not over,” said Beaver County Sheriff Cody Black.
READ: Utah’s federal, state and local leaders tour Cottonwood burn scar, vow action in D.C.
Massive debris reportedly remains in the burn scar. If another storm comes, there will be more flooding. Officials are warning the public not to ignore evacuation orders.
Roads in the canyon are destroyed, and the debris cannot be removed, Black added, saying that “mother nature must flush it out.”
Four cameras have been installed at Beaver Mountain and North Creek. Those cameras saved lives by providing early flood detection, officials said. Streams are monitored 24/7 in dispatch and are available publicly on YouTube.
Heavy equipment has been staged at choke points to divert debris when safe, though workers must evacuate immediately when rain begins.
Upper Grove south of Beaver River has severe infrastructure damage, with water turned off indefinitely. Areas east of Holly Lane have water flow but must boil before drinking. There have been no positive tests for E. coli so far.
Residents should flush faucets for about five minutes once the boil order is lifted.
Thousands of volunteers have assisted in the flood response, with massive donations of water, supplies, and equipment from across Utah. Monetary donations are being collected for displaced families through State Bank of Southern Utah – Big Chamber Fire account, Utah Independent Bank – Cottonwood Fire account, and Venmo – @CottonwoodFire.
No fatalities have occurred, officials said, which they’re calling a miracle. Federal and state officials have toured the damage, and additional funding for the response is expected. The Natural Resources Conservation Service has reportedly already donated $4 million.
“Do not get a false sense of security,” Black said. “If we’re saying leave, that means it’s going to happen.”
Officials added to make sure to have or set up.
Background
Drone footage obtained by ABC4.com revealed the in Beaver, capturing entire neighborhoods submerged and roads washed out. The flooding followed one of the nation’s largest wildfires, the Cottonwood Fire, which created a burn scar in the area.
A flash flood emergency was declared Sunday afternoon in Beaver, and the entire Grove neighborhood was evacuated. Floodwaters breached Interstate 15, shutting down both directions of the freeway for hours as crews cleared debris.
ABC4.com sent a crew to the flood site, and when they arrived inside the upper Grove area in beaver Monday afternoon, they were met with complete devastation. Flood cleanup has been taking place throughout the week. State Route 153 through Beaver Canyon is indefinitely closed.
Water in Beaver City was contaminated by floodwater runoff, and a boil water advisory was issued for the city. On Friday, Beaver partially lifted the boil order. It is still in effect for Holly Lane East, including the Golf Course and above (425 North).
According to Beaver, lines are being disinfected, flushed, and sampled, and residents in that area should not use culinary water without boiling it first.
Free mental health support is available at the Southwest Behavioral Health Center, located at 75 West 1175 North, Beaver, on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.