Federal disaster aid approved for Beaver, Piute counties after fire and floods

President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration Oct. 7 for the June Cottonwood Fire and the flooding and mudslides that followed in July, opening federal aid to public entities in Beaver and Piute counties, Gov. Spencer Cox's office announced. It is Utah's first major disaster declaration since the statewide flooding of 2023. ^[1]

A joint assessment by FEMA, the state and local governments found at least $47 million in possibly eligible damage, the governor's office said. A July 19 flash flood reached Interstate 15 west of Beaver and closed the highway for nearly 12 hours. Beaver City's hydroelectric system was heavily damaged, forcing the city to buy power, and several communities faced boil-water or no-water orders. State Route 153 up Beaver Canyon remains closed. ^[1]

FEMA's Public Assistance program reimburses 75% of eligible costs for emergency work and repairing public infrastructure. The Utah Division of Emergency Management will help local entities apply. "The damage has been enormous, and the cost of rebuilding is more than these communities can shoulder alone," Cox said in the release. ^[1]