It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Cove Fort in Beaver, UT gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Beaver, UT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Best ever. Always very great service. Whitney is awesome.”
“Working for Always Best Care has been a wonderful experience. They genuinely care about”
“I've been a caregiver for ABC clients for just over 6 months. I absolutely love”
“Lea, Brent and the staff are great. Because I live in a different city, the”
“My experience with Always Best Care was hands down amazing! Their staff is super attentive”
“I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the exceptional care Siale provided for”
“Best ever. Always very great service. Whitney is awesome.”
“Working for Always Best Care has been a wonderful experience. They genuinely care about their clients and go above and beyond to make sure that the employees and the clients are valued and important. They are so great to focus on compassion, quality care, and teamwork.”
“I've been a caregiver for ABC clients for just over 6 months. I absolutely love what I do, I love all of the clients, I love the feedback I get from my team! I love my manager shelly!! she is so amazing with communication and so focused on how to help me succeed and grow with this company, and so attentive to our clients! I am so happy to be able to help our clients each day and have such an amazing team!”
“Lea, Brent and the staff are great. Because I live in a different city, the staff takes care of my father’s needs where he lives. Maria is wonderful with my dad. I’ve not personally met the staff, except Maria, but I’m very grateful for all they do for my dad and me. Appreciate them.”
“My experience with Always Best Care was hands down amazing! Their staff is super attentive and kind. I always felt like I was their first priority and that they really cared about me. 10/10 would recommend!!”
“I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the exceptional care Siale provided for my dad. He was committed to delivering the highest quality of care and truly valued my dad as a patient. Siale, he goes over and beyond to make a positive impact on the lives of his patients.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Pioneer Park in Beaver, UT with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Fattoria or visit Historic Opera House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Beaver, UT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Beaver, UT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Beaver, UT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
PAROWAN, Utah (ABC4) — A new fire has been reported in Iron County, dubbed the Teddy Valley Fire.According to Utah Fire Info, the Teddy Valley Fire is estimated at 250 or more acres in size, and it is burning on state land northwest of Parowan, near the Beaver/Iron County line and west of I-15.The fire remains 0% contained.Multiple ground an aviation resources are already on scene, and additional resources are ordered.The fire is primarily burning within an old burn scar and is consuming isl...
PAROWAN, Utah (ABC4) — A new fire has been reported in Iron County, dubbed the Teddy Valley Fire.
According to Utah Fire Info, the Teddy Valley Fire is estimated at 250 or more acres in size, and it is burning on state land northwest of Parowan, near the Beaver/Iron County line and west of I-15.
The fire remains 0% contained.
Multiple ground an aviation resources are already on scene, and additional resources are ordered.
The fire is primarily burning within an old burn scar and is consuming islands of trees and brush.
If winds don’t push the fire over the dozer line, containment is expected to begin increasing tomorrow.
It is burning on state and Bureau of Land Management lands in both Iron and Beaver counties. At this time, no critical infrastructure or communities are threatened.
No further information is available at this time, but ABC4.com will update this post as we learn more.
Utah Fire Sense says that common prevention tactics can help prevent approximately 70% of all wildfires in the state.
Their reads, “You already know heat or sparks plus dry grass equals a whole lot of trouble, so the next time you’re camping or shooting or otherwise enjoying the great outdoors in this great state of ours, use your brain before things get too hot to handle.”
When recreating outdoors, Utah Fire Sense says you should only burn in permitted areas, completely douse campfires, and clear out potential fire hazards such as dry grass when you’re out shooting, parking, or building a campfire.
Additionally, experts recommend checking your vehicle to make sure your car won’t ignite sparks or overheat. If you have trailer chains, you should ensure that they do not drag on the roads. You should also check your brakes and tires to avoid excessive wear and tear.
Utah Fire Sense also says individuals should keep an eye on current weather conditions and statewide fire restrictions to know what is and is not allowed. You can learn more here.
UDOT assessing extensive damage as additional storms could worsen conditionsBEAVER, Utah (July 21, 2026) — State Route 153 through Beaver Canyon is closed indefinitely after flash flooding and debris flows severely damaged or completely washed away the road in several locations Sunday afternoon.The hard closure begins near milepost 7.5 east of Beaver, where debris has completely blocked the highway. The most severe damage is concentrated between mileposts 7.5 and 10.5. Within that three-mile stre...
UDOT assessing extensive damage as additional storms could worsen conditions
BEAVER, Utah (July 21, 2026) — State Route 153 through Beaver Canyon is closed indefinitely after flash flooding and debris flows severely damaged or completely washed away the road in several locations Sunday afternoon.
The hard closure begins near milepost 7.5 east of Beaver, where debris has completely blocked the highway. The most severe damage is concentrated between mileposts 7.5 and 10.5. Within that three-mile stretch, multiple sections of road have been destroyed. Near milepost 14, floodwater undercut the highway and washed approximately half of the roadway into the river.
The full extent of the damage is not yet known. UDOT is assessing the damage from the air and the ground and developing a repair plan as quickly as possible in coordination with Beaver County, Beaver City, public-safety agencies, Eagle Point Resort and other partners.
UDOT surveyors and engineers are assessing the corridor from the air and on the ground, as conditions allow.
SR-153 extends approximately 21 paved miles from Beaver to the summit near Eagle Point Resort and continues for approximately 19 miles toward U.S. 89 on the Piute County side, where portions of the route are gravel and dirt. The seasonal highway climbs to an elevation of approximately 10,000 feet and is used primarily for recreation and access to mountain properties.
Motorists and property owners should not attempt to enter the closed area from either side of the mountain. Access from the U.S. 89 side is not currently considered safe, and crews are still evaluating conditions. The Cottonwood Fire burned across the mountain, leaving a burn scar that significantly increases the risk of flash flooding and debris flows.
“If we have another storm, water and debris could come down the canyon again and cause additional damage,” UDOT Region 4 Deputy Director Jared Beard said. “We’ve been seeing thunderstorms every afternoon, and right now, neither side of the mountain is safe.”
Additional thunderstorms are expected during the coming week. Crews are monitoring the weather and are prepared to respond to changing conditions.
“Right now, with SR-153 washed out, our priority is to protect I-15 and Beaver’s Main Street,” Beard said. “Every day, we are watching the skies, and our team is primed to react to any other changes.”
Keeping I-15 and Beaver’s Main Street open is critical because they serve as primary evacuation routes for the community. Travelers must obey all closure signs and instructions from law enforcement and emergency personnel.
Updates will be provided as assessments continue and new information becomes available.
This is your daily news rundown for Friday, Aug. 28. In this edition:Here are the latest nominees for the Utah Supreme CourtGov. Spencer Cox announced his nominees for two open seats on the Utah Supreme Court.Longtime judge Matthew Bell has worked for the Fifth Judicial District and the District of Utah.Michael Menssen is an attorney working at Mayer Brown LLP in Salt Lake City.If confirmed by the Senate, they will replace Justice Diana Hagen,...
This is your daily news rundown for Friday, Aug. 28. In this edition:
Gov. Spencer Cox announced his nominees for two open seats on the Utah Supreme Court.
Longtime judge Matthew Bell has worked for the Fifth Judicial District and the District of Utah.
Michael Menssen is an attorney working at Mayer Brown LLP in Salt Lake City.
If confirmed by the Senate, they will replace Justice Diana Hagen, who resigned in May, and Chief Justice Matthew Durrant, who’s stepping down next week.
Lawmakers also voted to expand the court by two seats, which means over half of the court’s seven seats are being filled this year.
Cox has not yet selected a new chief justice, a power he gained through a state bill passed earlier this year. He said he expects to announce that replacement within the next six to eight weeks.
Crews have started repair work on State Route 153 through Beaver Canyon, which was heavily damaged by flash floods last month.
The Utah Department of Transportation is focusing first on making access for property owners in the area. They will also remove debris and stabilize the damaged stream channels.
However, the extent of the damage means the west side of the road won’t reopen for general use this year.
July’s destructive flash floods rushed down burn scars from the Cottonwood Fire, which burned nearly 100,000 acres.
BEAVER, Utah (KUTV) — Fishlake National Forest lifted its closure order two months after a massive wildfire ignited, burning nearly 100,000 acres across Beaver and Piute Counties.The Cottonwood Fire ignited on June 22, growing to 97,464 acres over the course of two months. The fire was highly destructive, damaging more than 150 condos and cabins, four chairlifts and hundreds of acres of ski terrain at Eagle Point Ski Resort.On Saturday, exactly two-months after the start of the wildfire, Fishlake National Forest reopened ...
BEAVER, Utah (KUTV) — Fishlake National Forest lifted its closure order two months after a massive wildfire ignited, burning nearly 100,000 acres across Beaver and Piute Counties.
The Cottonwood Fire ignited on June 22, growing to 97,464 acres over the course of two months. The fire was highly destructive, damaging more than 150 condos and cabins, four chairlifts and hundreds of acres of ski terrain at Eagle Point Ski Resort.
On Saturday, exactly two-months after the start of the wildfire, Fishlake National Forest reopened the majority of the Beaver Ranger District to the public.
"To the residents, emergency responders, county officials, and Forest Service employees who live and work here, this mountain and forest are home," officials said. "While adjusting to the altered landscape and burn scar will be difficult for all of us, our agencies are moving forward together with hope for the land's recovery. We are incredibly grateful to welcome you back to the many beautiful, green areas that still remain."
While the majority of the area is now available to the public, several road closures are still in effect due to safety concerns and ongoing repairs.
The Forest Service said the following areas are closed to motorized vehicles, but passable on foot or horseback:
USFS officials said State Route 153 (Beaver Canyon Corridor) remains closed between milepost three and 14.5 due to "hazardous" conditions. The area is fully closed to the public, meaning no access is permitted.
The remaining closure is due to severe flooding in Beaver Canyon that damaged roads and other infrastructure.
State officials are working to evaluate and repair the damage, as well as stabilize critical areas.
"The timing and extent of the repairs will depend on site conditions, continued damage, design requirements, and other factors," officials said
In addition, City Creek Campground and Road have been permanently closed due to the damage.
With the exception of LeBaron Campground, all other developed campgrounds have been closed for the season.
Officials cautioned campers to stay away from unstable timber, recommending that they instead camp in wide-open spaces.
They also warned the public of flooding, saying heavy rain "can instantly trigger rapid post-fire hazards, including dangerous flash floods, rolling rocks, mudslides, washed-out roads, and blocked creeks."
They recommended bringing extra food, water and clothing, as well as a chainsaw or handsaw in case they run into unexpected debris.
Officials said to avoid any areas with smoke, saying its possible some interior pockets could continue to smolder. Those areas are being actively monitored.
For more information on road closures, visit the USFS website.
The cameras let emergency managers track a debris flow in real time, giving them enough warning to evacuate residents before it slammed into the Grove neighborhood.Traffic cameras installed just days before a sudden deluge of water and debris tore down Beaver Canyon on Sunday afternoon served as an early warning system — and may have saved lives.That is the assessment of local officials, who say the cameras and other aid rendered by state emergency officials in the days leading up to the flash flood helped provide first...
Traffic cameras installed just days before a sudden deluge of water and debris tore down Beaver Canyon on Sunday afternoon served as an early warning system — and may have saved lives.
That is the assessment of local officials, who say the cameras and other aid rendered by state emergency officials in the days leading up to the flash flood helped provide first responders with enough time to evacuate residents living in the Grove neighborhood near the mouth of the canyon.
“Those cameras helped a ton,” said Beaver Mayor Matt Robinson. Robinson, who was teaching Sunday school when he and the teens noticed the flood on live feeds from their phones, added that the early warning was a factor in preventing any loss of life.
As the cameras captured the flood waters filled with mud, trees and vehicle-sized boulders surge over diversion dams and rush toward town, city and county officials started evacuating residents living in vulnerable areas.
Local officials had asked the state for the cameras and monitoring equipment as a way to prepare for likely flooding from the burn scar left by the Cottonwood Fire that scorched nearly 100,000 acres in the mountains east of Beaver.
Les Whitney, Beaver County’s emergency management director, noted that crews strategically placed two cameras up the canyon — one at the 8.5-mile mark and a second downstream unit at about the 2-mile mark. A third camera was placed in North Creek Canyon.
The cameras, which were installed on July 15, allowed Whitney and other officials to track the flood’s progress down the canyon in real time.
“We already started evacuating when we saw the [flood water] hit the first camera,” Whitney said. “When it hit camera number two, we knew it was big trouble.”
Whitney and Robinson say the cameras provided them with just enough time — about 75 minutes — to clear the Grove area, where residents living in about 200 homes were evacuated before the debris flow struck and inundated the residential neighborhood.
Whitney recalls standing on Navajo Trail Bridge and hearing the roar of the water cascading toward him.
“All of a sudden, the water came around the corner and was headed right at me,” he said. “And there were a lot of full-size trees and other debris that began hitting the bridge and running over its edges.”
Fortunately, he added, both he and the bridge weathered the onslaught.
Glen Merrill, hydrologist with the National Weather Service’s Salt Lake City office, said the deluge was driven by a relatively short cloudburst over the Cottonwood Fire burn scar, where steep mountain slopes had been stripped of vegetation that would normally absorb the rainfall and slow its flow.
In roughly 30 minutes, he said, the storm dropped nearly an inch of rain and the totals in the area neared or exceeded an 1.5 inches at the 45-minute mark, which set the stage for the punishing flood.
“It’s not just water that is a problem,” Merrill said. “In the post-wildfire landscape, burned-off canopy and hydrophobic soils turn hillsides into chutes for mud, ash and logs.”
As bad as the flood was, Whitney said, the state aid prevented a much worse outcome.
State emergency officials tapped disaster funds approved by the Legislature to supply the cameras, heavy equipment and other resources to support Beaver and other rural counties as the monsoon season approached.
“The success of the response was rooted in coordination between the state, National Weather Service and local officials,” said Hillary Koellner, deputy commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Despite the successful evacuation, the aftermath remains a significant challenge for the community.
Officials estimate around 200 homes were damaged, with at least one residence swept away. While approximately 20 people sought refuge at an American Red Cross shelter at Beaver High School, many others stayed with family and friends, according to Whitney.
As of late Monday, he added, a destroyed water line continues to leave many city residents without potable water. The Beaver County Sheriff’s Office is warning the community not to drink, cook or wash with tap water due to contamination risks. Volunteers, nearby cities and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have stepped in to deliver pallets of water to a distribution center by the city office pavilion.
On Tuesday, the Utah Department of Transportation said that State Route 153, which goes up Beaver Canyon, was closed indefinitely.
Still, more trouble could be looming.
Officials are closely forecasts as the National Weather Service projects an 80% to 90% chance of rain for Wednesday. Because the burn scar remains highly susceptible to flooding, crews are on high alert for additional debris flows.
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