Uintah County Emergency Management is urging the public to prepare now for spring runoff, especially if your home is in a flood plain, by a ditch, canal, or creek, or if you’ve experienced flooding before. “Hope is not an emergency plan,” says Uintah County Emergency Manager Tal Ehlers. “We live in Utah which means we get spring runoff so people need to be conscientious.” Ehlers explains there is just no way to know at what rate the snow will melt so the best course of action is to prepare for the worst. Purchase sandbags now. Clean rain gutters. Clear snow from roofs. Make paths for melting snow to reach a drain. If you don’t know whether you’re in a flood plain or not, find the FEMA Flood Plain Map online and search your address. “We have time now for not only awareness but action,” shares Ehlers. “Let’s be prepared and aware, taking the steps now while it’s still cold and before the melt has begun.” Sandbags are available for purchase locally at hardware, farm, and ranch stores.
