SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Aug. 24, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox issued an executive order Friday evening declaring a state of emergency due to recent flooding in Utah communities.
Many Utahns have seen significant damage to homes and public infrastructure over the past weeks, reads the governor’s press release. Additionally, wildfire burn scars and high temperatures have contributed to hardened ground surfaces, increasing flash flood and debris flow risk.
“The flooding we have seen over the past few weeks has been devastating,” Cox said. “I saw some of the damages first hand in Sanpete County, and I know Utahns have been similarly impacted across the state.
“Declaring a state of emergency will facilitate the protection of people and property from the impacts of flooding and potential flooding.”
Specifically, the executive order expedites the use of state resources and supports requests for federal and interstate resources, permitting requests for mutual aid from other states via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Conditions currently meet the definition of a state of emergency described in state law, according to the order.
The executive order is effective immediately and will remain in effect for 30 days. View the executive order here.
