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 Historic Pine Valley Chapel in Pine Valley, 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 Pine Valley, 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 Pine Valley County Park in Pine Valley, 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 Riverhorse on Main or visit Keg factory historical marker, 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.
Request More Information
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 Pine Valley, 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 Pine Valley, 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 Pine Valley, 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.
The Alliance for the Wild Rockies, Wildlands Defense, Native Ecosystems Council, and Council for Wildlife and Fish sued the U.S. Forest Service in federal district court in Utah for approving logging and burning throughout the Dixie National Forest’s Pine Valley Ranger District in southeast Utah. Kevin Wright, supervisor for the Dixie National Forest, authorized the project’s implementation by signing a Decision Notice in May 2025.The project will log, masticate, roller mulch, and burn 127,667 acres, which is a substantial...
The Alliance for the Wild Rockies, Wildlands Defense, Native Ecosystems Council, and Council for Wildlife and Fish sued the U.S. Forest Service in federal district court in Utah for approving logging and burning throughout the Dixie National Forest’s Pine Valley Ranger District in southeast Utah. Kevin Wright, supervisor for the Dixie National Forest, authorized the project’s implementation by signing a Decision Notice in May 2025.
The project will log, masticate, roller mulch, and burn 127,667 acres, which is a substantial portion of the 209,731 acres of the Pine Valley Ranger District.
It’s scientifically shown that logging and burning may actually increase the severity of wildfires by opening up the forest floor to more solar radiation and wind. But we are challenging the Forest Service in court because it’s violating the Dixie National Forest Plan, which has specific requirements for Northern Goshawk, big game winter range, and old growth habitat.
The Dixie Forest Plan requires the agency to maintain at least the minimum level of goshawk habitat needed to ensure a viable population. Yet the Forest Service failed to even estimate how much habitat is required for goshawks according to the best available science, or how much habitat will be destroyed by the project.
The Dixie National Forest Plan requires the agency to manage each drainage in the forest to ensure that 7% to 10% are old growth forests. The agency’s own data shows that the forest currently has less mature and old growth than required. In spite of this, the Pine Valley project calls for logging and burning even more of what’s left of the old growth forest.
The sad fact is that goshawk numbers have plummeted. Given that goshawks are very specifically dependent on mature and old growth forests, which are already severely lacking in the Dixie National Forest, the project would only result in even more destruction of critical goshawk habitat.
Moreover, Pinyon Jay populations have nosedived — plummeting by over 85% in the last 50 years — mainly due to habitat loss caused by Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management deforestation projects. Yet this project will add to that decline by destroying the very pinyon pine and juniper trees that Pinyon Jays rely on to survive.
Much to the disappointment of hunters, the Dixie National Forest’s deer population was at 57,000 in 2023. That’s 10,000 deer below their objective. The Forest Plan requirement for big game habitat requires the agency to maintain at least 30% of shrub plants in a mature age, and at least 10% in a young stage in big game winter range.
Yet the agency’s knee-jerk reaction to this population decline is to burn even more of the juniper and other forage plants that deer need to survive the winter. Last summer a lightning-caused fire already burned through the roadless areas in Pine Valley. Hunters surely can’t be happy that the federal government wants to spend their tax dollars destroying even more big game habitat.
The Forest Service claims they are doing this to protect homes from wildfire. But the agency’s top wildfire scientist found the only way to effectively protect homes from wildfires is by having nonflammable roofs and decks and trimming shrubs and trees up to 100 feet out from a house. Anything beyond that is a waste of money and destroys wildlife habitat.
The Forest Service estimates it will take 10 years to complete the project, which means people in southeast Utah will have to suffer through 10 springs and falls of smoke-filled air. According to Dr. Brian Moench of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment: “Prescribed burns have never been shown to reduce the public’s overall exposure to forest fire smoke. In fact, a recent study found that as many people die from prescribed burn smoke as from wildfire smoke. It’s unfortunate that the only way to protect public health from 10 years of Forest Service malpractice is to take them to court.”
The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled for the Alliance and against the Dixie National Forest on these same issues in 2006. Yet the Forest Service is routinely operating outside the law by destroying wildlife and their habitat. By doing so the federal government is forcing grassroots forest activists to exercise our First Amendment rights and the citizen enforcement provisions in the law to challenge their decision in court. That’s exactly what we’re doing.
October storms hit Pine Valley particularly hard as rains rushed down the Forsyth Fire burn scar A good rainstorm in Pine Valley used to be one of Robert Hardy’s favorite things.“I love that — the smell, the quiet, just the pitter patter,” said Hardy, the rural mountain town’s fire chief. “But now every time a cloud blows over, it’s almost like a panic attack. What’s this one gonna bring?”Months after a wildfire raged through Pine Valley in June, the community is no...
A good rainstorm in Pine Valley used to be one of Robert Hardy’s favorite things.
“I love that — the smell, the quiet, just the pitter patter,” said Hardy, the rural mountain town’s fire chief. “But now every time a cloud blows over, it’s almost like a panic attack. What’s this one gonna bring?”
Months after a wildfire raged through Pine Valley in June, the community is now recovering from a destructive flood and preparing for the next. Rain rushed down the burnt soils, buckling roads, flooding basements and piling logs, boulders and other debris throughout the campground on the night of Oct. 10.
The Washington County Commission on Tuesday declared a local emergency due to widespread flooding. Beyond Pine Valley, heavy rains also damaged homes and infrastructure in other parts of the county, such as New Harmony and Gunlock. Some sediment also washed into the under-construction Chief Toquer Reservoir site and caused minimal damage, according to Karry Rathje, public affairs manager for the Washington County Water Conservancy District.
The county commission also approved a contract with Suncore Construction for immediate flood repairs in Pine Valley. The move is one step in a long recovery for the mountain community, as the burn scar from the Forsyth Fire continues to raise the risk for more flash floods.
“The soil has been baked, and so [water] immediately runs off, and now it’s carrying debris, so it doesn’t effectively go through the channels,” said Todd Edwards, director of the county’s public works department.
The county has been cleaning out debris from culverts in Pine Valley, and it will start working with Suncore to repair road damage in town and construct new culverts that will help channel water away from homes during future storms. Edwards thinks it will take less than 30 days to construct the culverts.
The Forest Service also is assessing the damage and began clearing roads in the Pine Valley Recreation Area on Monday, Pine Valley District Ranger Joseph Rechsteiner said in an email. Forest Service employees responding to the flood are exempt from the furlough during the federal government shutdown.
The popular Pine Valley Recreation Area is “closed for public safety until further notice,” the Dixie National Forest posted on Facebook on Monday.
While Rechsteiner expects the area will receive more rain this fall and winter, he said the storm earlier this month was “an unusual precipitation event” due to Hurricane Priscilla. Flood risk for Pine Valley is far from over, though.
“We are very concerned about future flooding events on the national forest,” Rechsteiner said in an email. “Summer monsoon rains can be very intense or rapid snow melting could cause more flooding and debris flows. We can expect flooding and debris flows for another 3-5 years, which is typically the amount of time it takes for a watershed to stabilize after a fire.”
Over the next year, the county, state and federal agencies will continue coordinating on post-fire recovery to rehabilitate the watershed and reduce flood risks.
The county has received $1.4 million from the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program for flood control projects, Edwards said. The project has to go through federal environmental and cultural reviews first before the county can use the funds, though.
Eventually, the county plans to use those funds to construct at least three detention ponds that will catch sediment and debris. If weather allows, Edwards hopes to get those built in January. But if there is snow, construction will have to wait until spring.
Those ponds will have to be regularly cleared out after storms, but Edwards said it’s easier to dig logs, branches and mud out of a pond than a clogged culvert.
The Forest Service has also received funds for some rehabilitation activities, such as trail work and tree felling, and is working with the state to stabilize the forest hillsides by laying mulch and planting seeds, said Rechsteiner.
Meanwhile, the fire department has sandbags and cleaning kits available for homeowners affected by the floods.
“We just appreciate everybody’s help,” Hardy said. “It’s been a great community effort. People outside of the community have helped. So it’s been very heartwarming to see all that outreach.”
Help The Tribune report the stories others can’t—or won’t.
For over 150 years, The Salt Lake Tribune has been Utah’s independent news source. Our reporters work tirelessly to uncover the stories that matter most to Utahns, from unraveling the complexities of court rulings to allowing tax payers to see where and how their hard earned dollars are being spent. This critical work wouldn’t be possible without people like you—individuals who understand the importance of local, independent journalism. As a nonprofit newsroom, every subscription and every donation fuels our mission, supporting the in-depth reporting that shines a light on the is sues shaping Utah today.
You can help power this work.
PINE VALLEY, Washington County — Heavy rain and flash flooding that hit the Forsyth Fire's burn scar area in Pine Valley last weekend has left a mess for U.S Forest Service engineers to clean up.The impact has forced a temporary closure of the Pine Valley Recreation Area for public safety, the U.S. Forest Service — Dixie National Forest announced on its Facebook page Monday."Due to recent impacts from Hurricane Priscilla, the Pine Valley Recreation Area and Forsyth Fire burn scar experienced significant damage ...
PINE VALLEY, Washington County — Heavy rain and flash flooding that hit the Forsyth Fire's burn scar area in Pine Valley last weekend has left a mess for U.S Forest Service engineers to clean up.
The impact has forced a temporary closure of the Pine Valley Recreation Area for public safety, the U.S. Forest Service — Dixie National Forest announced on its Facebook page Monday.
"Due to recent impacts from Hurricane Priscilla, the Pine Valley Recreation Area and Forsyth Fire burn scar experienced significant damage during a flood event last week," the social media post reads.
Remnants of Hurricane Priscilla started barreling down on Washington County in the early evening of Friday, Oct. 10, leading to reports of flooded roads.
By 10 p.m., Pine Valley Fire Chief Robert Hardy said "ongoing flooding" was impacting the area, and officials suspected there were already damages to homes.
Even before the storm moved into the area, Hardy indicated concern for people living near the burn scar.
The Forsyth Fire sparked in June, burning more than 15,000 acres and destroying more than a dozen homes in Pine Valley.
On Saturday, Oct 11, Pine Valley Fire and EMS said the storm had caused significant damage at the Pine Valley Campground and entire Recreation Area; they warned that the area was "very unsafe."
Though that was more than a week ago, the U.S. Forest Service said Monday that its engineers were "currently working on clearing debris and assessing damage."
The forest service did not indicate or share an exact timeline of when the impacted area may reopen, but people are encouraged to visit its webpage for alerts and updates on current closures in the area.
Posted NEW HARMONY, Utah — A small southern Utah town is rallying together after flash flooding devastated homes and property when the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla dumped five inches of rain in a single night.New Harmony, a community of just 236 residents, received around 10 inches of rain total for the entire year up until last Thursday. On Friday night, the National Weather Service said the town was hit with five inches as Hurricane Priscilla's remnants moved through southern Utah.The flooding caught many res...
Posted
NEW HARMONY, Utah — A small southern Utah town is rallying together after flash flooding devastated homes and property when the remnants of Hurricane Priscilla dumped five inches of rain in a single night.
New Harmony, a community of just 236 residents, received around 10 inches of rain total for the entire year up until last Thursday. On Friday night, the National Weather Service said the town was hit with five inches as Hurricane Priscilla's remnants moved through southern Utah.
The flooding caught many residents off guard, including Trenton Wailehua, a Pine Valley homeowner whose garage flooded with two feet of water.
"It was dark, rain was coming down, and we didn't realize where we're standing was getting flooded until it was too late," Wailehua said. "We had a Tesla in the garage that was two feet underwater. It's stuck in there right now."
Despite the damage to his own property, Wailehua found himself helping neighbors in need. When someone was looking for a generator, he offered his own flood-damaged unit.
"I have one in my garage, but it was two feet underwater, but never been used. If you guys can fix it, take it, give it to whoever needs it," Wailehua said.
The community response has been overwhelming. Cars lined the streets as volunteers arrived to help with cleanup efforts.
"That night, there were already people driving around, checking to see if we need help," Wailehua said.
Thomas Byrd and Wayne Elwood, both with Cedar City water restoration service Service King, were among those who responded Friday night.
"One of the great things about being in our field of work, but also being in this position and living in such a small town, is the community that pulls together when a natural disaster like this happens," Byrd said.
"The community members just go well beyond anything I've ever seen in my whole life. It's just so wonderful to be a part of this community," said Elwood, a New Harmony resident himself.
New Harmony Fire Chief Jim Banks said the damage was extensive across the small town.
"This particular house over here has a 9-foot basement and it was completely full of water," Banks said. "We've got a tremendous number of people who have had driveways washed away, landscaping washed away."
The town's fiber internet lines were severed but have since been restored.
Despite the flooding, New Harmony's annual Apple Festival went on as scheduled Saturday. Banks said the fire department's main fundraiser had to continue.
"We had to relocate the vendors to the street because of the water that we had in the park — we didn't want to take it damaging the grass. But even then, people still showed up," Banks said. "We just kind of roll with the punches, and you know, small town spirit — you just make it happen."
New Harmony sits on the other side of Pine Valley Mountain from Pine Valley, which was scarred by the Forsyth Fire this summer. Pine Valley Fire Chief Robert Hardy said one home there had basement flooding, but no other homes sustained more than minor damage. However, a nearby campground that briefly reopened last week will remain closed for at least the rest of the year due to new damage.
Wailehua said he had homeowner's insurance but not flood insurance. Still, the community support has been overwhelming.
"Things can be replaceable, but it's a tough one, it's a tough pill to swallow," Wailehua said. "But having the community come and just open hands, not even asked ... grab a pair of gloves and start coming and grabbing, seeing where they can help."
When asked about seeing the line of cars full of volunteers, Wailehua was momentarily speechless before saying, "It is much appreciated."
Heavy rain returned to the area Monday afternoon, though not close to Friday night's downpour.
Sign up for our Morning E-mail Newsletter to receive the latest headlines in your inbox.
After a night of flooding, crews with the Pine Valley Fire Department started assessing their community on Saturday, checking homes for damage and looking for impacts left by the rainfall.Robert Hardy, the department’s chief, said that while the community didn’t receive a significant amount of rain, the burn scar left by the Forsyth Fire compounded the problem.“We got hit pretty hard last night,” he said.Seven homes in Pine Valley have experienced mild to moderate flood damage as of Saturday after...
After a night of flooding, crews with the Pine Valley Fire Department started assessing their community on Saturday, checking homes for damage and looking for impacts left by the rainfall.
Robert Hardy, the department’s chief, said that while the community didn’t receive a significant amount of rain, the burn scar left by the Forsyth Fire compounded the problem.
“We got hit pretty hard last night,” he said.
Seven homes in Pine Valley have experienced mild to moderate flood damage as of Saturday afternoon, Hardy said.
One home experienced some basement flooding and another had about two feet of “muck” in the garage, Hardy said. Other homes just had a bit of water and mud seep in through the garage or entry door. No one, however, has been displaced, he said.
Cindy Gooch said she and her husband left their home on the opposite side of the Santa Clara River last night to check on homes under construction that he has been helping to rebuild after they were destroyed in the Forsyth Fire earlier this year.
When they crossed the river, she said it was completely normal. Soon, however, she was taking videos of roadways flowing with water.
One of the homes her husband was helping to construct had only a poured basement, she said, and was “a mud-filled swimming pool” Saturday morning.
Hardy said the Pole Creek drainage, which runs down from the Forsyth Fire burn scar and weaves past some of the damaged homes, has caused the most problems. Maxine Davie and Frank Davie, who is a volunteer firefighter in Pine Valley, experienced some flooding in their yard that abuts Pole Creek but saw no damage to their home.
The creek is normally a couple feet wide but it swelled to just under 50-feet wide on Friday night, Maxine Davie said.
“The torrent of water that came through last night just laughed at sandbags and just tore everything out,” Hardy said. “It buckled asphalt, and the sandbags aren’t going to hold up to that.”
The road at the intersection of Mountain View Drive and Meadow View Drive is now rugged, Hardy said. The flood waters scoured the sides of the road, creating drop offs.
The street is still passable, but Hardy is working with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to close the road. He said people from outside the community have been driving through to look at the damage. “It’s muddy and lots of foot traffic,” he said. “It’s just not a safe place.”
The Pine Valley Recreation Area and campground have also experienced damage. “Please do not try to enter the campground and recreation area in Pine Valley,” Hardy said. “It’s unsafe and hazardous.”
Jason Bradley, the director of emergency management for Washington County, said western areas of the county like Gunlock were also impacted as roads were washed out and homes were flooded. As of Saturday afternoon, he was not sure how many homes in the county had been damaged.
As officials in rural southern Utah assess the damage, other communities throughout the state are keeping an eye on the weather.
The National Weather Service has issued flood watches throughout many parts of Utah. These areas include:
The flooding concerns come as remnants of the Priscilla tropical cyclone blow in from the eastern Pacific Ocean, according to Sam Webber, a meteorologist working in the weather service’s Salt Lake City office.
The issue is further exasperated by burn scars throughout the state, he said, left in areas where wildfires destroyed vegetation and baked the ground.
“The soil becomes hydrophobic,” Webber said. “Water can’t go into any of the soil, it can’t penetrate. … It just kind of slicks off.”
Vegetation is also dead in those areas, leaving the ground rootless, he explained.
The weather service hasn’t received any reports of flooding outside of Pine Valley, he said, but it can sometimes take days for anyone to notice flooding in more isolated areas of the state or in areas of national parks not frequently visited.
Though most of the concern came with Friday weather forecasts, he said the risk of flooding still persists Saturday, with the flood watches not expiring until 11:59 p.m. Saturday.
To prepare for potentially more flooding, the Pine Valley Fire Department and community members have added sandbags throughout the town to harden areas that were damaged last night, Hardy told The Tribune.
The recovery will continue, though. “We’ve got some major infrastructure damage to the roads ... and I’m afraid it’s going to be ongoing,” Hardy said.
This story is developing and may be updated.
Help The Tribune report the stories others can’t—or won’t.
For over 150 years, The Salt Lake Tribune has been Utah’s independent news source. Our reporters work tirelessly to uncover the stories that matter most to Utahns, from unraveling the complexities of court rulings to allowing tax payers to see where and how their hard earned dollars are being spent. This critical work wouldn’t be possible without people like you—individuals who understand the importance of local, independent journalism. As a nonprofit newsroom, every subscription and every donation fuels our mission, supporting the in-depth reporting that shines a light on the is sues shaping Utah today.
You can help power this work.
385-444-7026
