Be sure to stay vigilante of weather reports and stay off the road as much as possible because injury and death tolls are rising in Utah as a result of flash flooding. Many cars are being swept away. Several people are missing. Be sure to stay safe and keep your eye on the weather.
Flash flooding in southern Utah has killed at least 16 people since Monday night; four others remain missing.
Twelve of those deaths are in the small Utah border community of Hildale after a flash flood swept through the town. A vehicle carrying three women and 13 children was swept away, and only three children survived. Washington County Emergency Services told The Weather Channel one person is still missing, and it is unclear whether the individual is an adult or child.
People rushed to the scene when the cars finally came to a stop downstream. What they saw was gruesome; dead bodies were strewn everywhere and the vehicles that once held them were crumpled and mangled, almost beyond recognition. But somehow, they found one boy who survived the ordeal, standing nearby.
“The little boy was standing there,” Yvonne Holm told the Associated Press. “He said, ‘Are you guys going to help me?'”
(MORE: Flash Flood Danger of Vehicles)
Some 20 miles to the north, the AP reported four people were killed by flash flooding in Zion National Park and three remain missing. Up to 1.89 inches of rain was measured in the park over the past two days as of Tuesday morning at an elevation of 5,741 feet, according to the National Weather Service. Officials have not yet released the identities of those killed or missing.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert expressed his sorrow in a statement, lamenting, “I join with other Utahns in mourning today the lives lost in two tragic incidents at Zion National Park and Hildale. Jeanette and I send our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones. I thank the first responders, volunteers and other officials involved in the recovery effort.”
The situation in Hildale has shocked the community. Flooding started overnight and “obviously caught these people off guard,” Hildale assistant fire chief Kevin Barlow told The AP. “Witnesses say they were backing out of it trying to get away from it and it still swept them in.”
A vehicle rests in debris after a flash flood in Hildale, Utah. (Mark Lamont via AP)
Three people survived as the flash flooding washed the vehicles several hundred yards downstream about 5 p.m. MDT. One survivor was found downstream at a bank in town. One survivor remained hospitalized overnight, Washington County Emergency Services reported. Six of the deceased were located in Utah and two in Arizona, almost 2 1/2 miles downstream.
In light of the tragedy, Herbert warned residents and tourists, “Today’s tragedy also serves as a reminder to residents and those visiting our state to take appropriate precautions and be aware of the factors that contribute to dangerous flash floods. This includes strong thunderstorms and intense rainfall that can take place over several hours or even just a few minutes.”
Authorities say that around 150 people from county, state and federal agencies, 500 community volunteers, and six or seven search dogs are working at search and rescue efforts in Hildale and its sister town across the Arizona border, Colorado City. 
Herbert released a statement Tuesday morning indicating that state officials are in close communication with local government and public safety officials in the affected area and offered the full resources of the state to the town of Hildale to aid with the search and rescue effort. The Utah National Guard has been mobilized and is expected to arrive late Tuesday afternoon, Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox, said at a press conference.
Zoom-in of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona, highlighting Short Creek and the canyon northeast of Hildale. (Google Earth)
According to the NWS in Salt Lake City, the deadliest single flash flood on record in Utah prior to Monday’s event was an August 13, 1923 flood near Farmington, claiming seven lives.
The towns sit at the foot of picturesque red rock cliffs about 315 miles south of Salt Lake City. The floods came after heavy rains fell in the canyons just north of the towns, sending waves of water barreling through the streets.
“This hit with a vengeance we haven’t seen for some time,” Barlow told NBC.
The women and children were on a gravel road north of the towns, Barlow said. It appears they were coming back from a park in the area when the flash flood hit, he said.
Read more at: http://wxch.nl/1Mp7oPR
Be Careful on the Road!
Be sure to stay vigilante of weather reports and stay off the road as much as possible because injury and death tolls are rising in Utah as a result of flash flooding. Many cars are being swept away. Several people are missing. Be sure to stay safe and keep your eye on the weather.
Flash flooding in southern Utah has killed at least 16 people since Monday night; four others remain missing.
Twelve of those deaths are in the small Utah border community of Hildale after a flash flood swept through the town. A vehicle carrying three women and 13 children was swept away, and only three children survived. Washington County Emergency Services told The Weather Channel one person is still missing, and it is unclear whether the individual is an adult or child.
People rushed to the scene when the cars finally came to a stop downstream. What they saw was gruesome; dead bodies were strewn everywhere and the vehicles that once held them were crumpled and mangled, almost beyond recognition. But somehow, they found one boy who survived the ordeal, standing nearby.
“The little boy was standing there,” Yvonne Holm told the Associated Press. “He said, ‘Are you guys going to help me?'”
(MORE: Flash Flood Danger of Vehicles)
Some 20 miles to the north, the AP reported four people were killed by flash flooding in Zion National Park and three remain missing. Up to 1.89 inches of rain was measured in the park over the past two days as of Tuesday morning at an elevation of 5,741 feet, according to the National Weather Service. Officials have not yet released the identities of those killed or missing.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert expressed his sorrow in a statement, lamenting, “I join with other Utahns in mourning today the lives lost in two tragic incidents at Zion National Park and Hildale. Jeanette and I send our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones. I thank the first responders, volunteers and other officials involved in the recovery effort.”
The situation in Hildale has shocked the community. Flooding started overnight and “obviously caught these people off guard,” Hildale assistant fire chief Kevin Barlow told The AP. “Witnesses say they were backing out of it trying to get away from it and it still swept them in.”
Enlarge
A vehicle rests in debris after a flash flood in Hildale, Utah. (Mark Lamont via AP)
Three people survived as the flash flooding washed the vehicles several hundred yards downstream about 5 p.m. MDT. One survivor was found downstream at a bank in town. One survivor remained hospitalized overnight, Washington County Emergency Services reported. Six of the deceased were located in Utah and two in Arizona, almost 2 1/2 miles downstream.
In light of the tragedy, Herbert warned residents and tourists, “Today’s tragedy also serves as a reminder to residents and those visiting our state to take appropriate precautions and be aware of the factors that contribute to dangerous flash floods. This includes strong thunderstorms and intense rainfall that can take place over several hours or even just a few minutes.”
Authorities say that around 150 people from county, state and federal agencies, 500 community volunteers, and six or seven search dogs are working at search and rescue efforts in Hildale and its sister town across the Arizona border, Colorado City.
Herbert released a statement Tuesday morning indicating that state officials are in close communication with local government and public safety officials in the affected area and offered the full resources of the state to the town of Hildale to aid with the search and rescue effort. The Utah National Guard has been mobilized and is expected to arrive late Tuesday afternoon, Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox, said at a press conference.
Enlarge
Zoom-in of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona, highlighting Short Creek and the canyon northeast of Hildale. (Google Earth)
According to the NWS in Salt Lake City, the deadliest single flash flood on record in Utah prior to Monday’s event was an August 13, 1923 flood near Farmington, claiming seven lives.
The towns sit at the foot of picturesque red rock cliffs about 315 miles south of Salt Lake City. The floods came after heavy rains fell in the canyons just north of the towns, sending waves of water barreling through the streets.
“This hit with a vengeance we haven’t seen for some time,” Barlow told NBC.
The women and children were on a gravel road north of the towns, Barlow said. It appears they were coming back from a park in the area when the flash flood hit, he said.
Read more at: http://wxch.nl/1Mp7oPR
If You’re Looking for a Great Time in Salt Lake…
There are all kinds of fun places to go. This week, Ben Harper and The Innocents are coming to Salt Lake City at the Red Butte Garden. Ben Harper has been huge in music since the late nineties for his unique take on blues, folk, reggae, soul and funk/rock music. He really can take on any genre. He is a musician that had his first big gig at age 12 and has only continued to grow and expand his talent.
An Evening with Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals
300 Wakara Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals are back-returning to the stage and the studio in 2015 after a seven-year hiatus-the last show they played together was a double encore set in Brazil in September 2008. Fans were ecstatic when the band announced plans for a reunion tour of North America and Europe-a mixture of intimate shows and headlining slots at Bonnaroo and other music festivals. The tour and forthcoming studio recording reunite Harper with The Innocent Criminals’ classic line-up: percussionist Leon Mobley, bassist Juan Nelson, drummer Oliver Charles, keyboardist Jason Yates and guitarist Michael Ward.
Read more at: http://bit.ly/1FNblX0
Recent Project
Want to see what Western Fence Company can do for you? Check out these photos from one of our latest projects. We stand by our work and are proud of the difference we can make in property value and appearance!
How to Choose the Best Fence
There are many different reasons that a homeowner would want to build a fence. Whether it be to show property lines, to keep unwanted people or things out of yards or for aesthetic value to increase the price of the home upon sale. Whatever the reason, there are four tips that you should consider to help you choose the best fence for your needs that will stay with you for life.
8 Ways To Spice Up Your Fence
Fencing plays a starring role in the home decor news these days. You’ll see weathered pickets or rugged fence boards ingeniously repurposed as living room wall art or headboards for the bedroom. But sometimes a fence is just a fence – not something to be recycled, but an actual structure that provides privacy, security, and shade to your yard. There’s no reason for this essential item to be boring, though. Here are 8 fences imaginatively decorated by Hometalk members. Try doing one of these projects yourself to delight the eye and perhaps add curb appeal to your home.
1. Marble-Embellished Fence
Photo: C.R.A.F.T./Hometalk
Here’s a whimsically embellished fence courtesy of Creating Really Awesome Free Things (C.R.A.F.T.). Her mom created the shiny decorations by drilling holes in wooden fencing and wielding a mallet to pound in a jillion children’s marbles. Who else loves the sparkle?
2. Peek a Bark Fence
Photo: Joe L/Hometalk
A privacy fence will keep passersby from peeking in, but what if you have a four-footed somebody who wants to peek out? Joe L cut a hole in his board fence to let his beautiful Sheltie buddy Blaze watch what everyone was doing in the back field. The peek a bark hole is lined with plywood so Blaze’s fur doesn’t snag.
3. DIY Repurposed Tin Can Hanging Planters
Photo: Newly Woodwards/Hometalk
Try this cheap and easy way to add charming pops of color to an uninspiring stretch of fence. NewlyWoodwards hung her fence with spray-painted tin cans full of flowers. Voila! Instant rustic planters that brighten up the landscape on a budget.
Read more at: http://bit.ly/13HrAbh
What is Required by the State of Utah to Have a Fence Built?
A fence is a fantastic addition to any home! With literally infinite
styles and designs to choose from you are sure to find a fence that
enhances the curb appeal and overall tone of your house. More so the
fence has been providing families with the added benefit of privacy
since the dawn of time.
Depending on which state you live in
there are different regulation set for the building of a fence on your
property. Utah state regulations can sometimes be a bit cloudy, but
Western Fence Co has done the leg work for you! We brought you some of
the most commonly asked questions about fencing regulations and the
regulations themselves!
Rest assured when dealing with Western
Fence Company we will always make sure that all Utah State permits are
obtained and all restrictions followed. Its our job to know these ins
and outs! We just think its helpful for you to have the answers too 🙂
For additional information
about fences please click here.
How to Pick the Correct Fence for Your Home
There are many types of fences out there and picking one that goes with
the styling of your home can be a bit difficult. Utilizing articles like
the one below you can begin to compare looks versus purpose. If you
have a set of nosy neighbors it may be more important for you to have a
tall fence that you can not see through to keep peoples attention where
it needs to be. However if you have nothing but a great relationship
with your neighbors you might want to look for a more decorative look
for your fence.
Read More Here: http://cbporta.com/how-to-pick-the-right-type-of-fence-to-skyrocket-your-home-appeal/
12 Upkeep Ideas To Add Curb Appeal
When you are looking to sell or possibly rent out a property one of the
main determining factors for the success of your sale is curb appeal, or
how your property looks at first glance and first impressions. This article outlines some great ways to add visual appeal to your property.
Many times a beautiful flower garden or wrought Iron fence can be a
major reason for purchase from a potential buyer.
Read More Here: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20408237,00.html