Cox declares a 30-day state of emergency for San Juan and Washington county floods

What the order does

Flooded communities in San Juan and Washington counties can now draw on more state help, and the state can ask for federal and interstate money, under an emergency order Gov. Spencer Cox signed Friday. ^[1][3]

The executive order declares a 30-day state of emergency in both counties. Under Utah law it ends after 30 days unless the Legislature votes to extend it. ^[2][3]

"Repeated flooding has damaged homes, disrupted access to drinking water and cut off important travel routes," Cox said in a statement. "This declaration will help us support local efforts and get resources to affected Utahns." ^[1][2]

The damage so far

Storms and flash floods between Oct. 22 and Nov. 1 hit some areas more than once. In Washington County, homes in Hurricane were among the hardest hit, and some residents there have flooded twice since August. ^[1][3]

In San Juan County, the floods damaged U.S. 163 and state routes 162 and 262, along with road shoulders, bridges, drinking water systems and telecommunications lines. A break in the Comb Wash Bridge has cut the most direct route between Bluff and Monument Valley. ^[1][2][3]

Water in the San Juan River tested at E. coli levels 10 times the level that normally triggers a health advisory, according to Bluff officials. Officials said the full extent of the damage is not yet known because some floodwater has not receded. ^[1][2][3]

San Juan County declared its own emergency Nov. 1, and Bluff declared one Oct. 25. The Navajo Nation declared an emergency in September. ^[1]

What local leaders want

Bluff Mayor Josh Ewing told the Tribune that fixing the Comb Wash Bridge is "super critical" for daily life and the town's tourism economy. He has met with the Utah Division of Emergency Management about state and federal programs, and said small rural towns have few staff to handle the paperwork. "The flood waters might have receded, but the flood of paperwork has just begun," he said. ^[1]

Washington County Commissioner Gil Almquist said the declaration may bring federal aid on top of help already spent in southwest Utah. San Juan County Commissioner Jamie Harvey said the state, county and Navajo Nation are discussing how to coordinate resources. ^[1]