Flash floods sweep Hurricane, Utah, for second time in 10 weeks
Families still recovering from August's flooding faced another devastating surge Thursday, while the same storm system triggered evacuations in Colorado
Heavy thunderstorms triggered flash flooding across southwestern Utah on Oct. 22, sending muddy floodwaters rushing through the area.
The new carpet hadn't even been down for three days when floodwaters came rushing back.
On Thursday, flash flooding swept through Hurricane, Utah, for the second time in just 10 weeks, forcing evacuations, damaging roads and bridges, and affecting approximately 80 homes and 50 recreational vehicles. Mayor Clark Fawcett declared a local emergency.
Sheena and James Carter were still rebuilding their home after devastating flooding in August. Their living room flooring was only a week old, and the new bedroom carpet had been installed less than 72 hours earlier. Then muddy water poured into their home again.
Aerial footage shows flash flooding across Hurricane, UT, on Oct. 22, 2026, after heavy rainfall sent muddy water rushing through neighborhoods, damaging homes and roads. (Image: Landon Christensen)
Aerial footage shows flash flooding across Hurricane, Utah, on Oct. 22, 2026, after heavy rainfall sent muddy water rushing through neighborhoods, damaging homes and roads. (Image: Landon Christensen)
"I cried like somebody died this morning for a hot minute," Sheena told FOX 13 News. The couple has five children, ages 12 to nearly 2. Floodwaters also swept away their cars and a storage container, leaving one vehicle a total loss.
Hurricane sits at the base of the steep Hurricane Cliffs in southern Utah, where Gould Wash carries runoff from nearly 65 square miles of higher terrain. Heavy rain upstream can turn the normally dry channel into a torrent, sending muddy water into neighborhoods below.
Widespread flash flooding spilled into many homes and neighborhoods in Hurricane, Utah, on Oct. 22. This aerial video shows how far the muddy floodwaters spread from the Virgin River.
On Thursday, 1 to 2 inches of rain fell over the headwaters of Gould Wash, sending a large flood wave downstream through Hurricane, according to the National Weather Service. Floodwaters damaged roads, bridges, storm drains and electrical infrastructure, while police and search-and-rescue crews helped evacuate residents, according to Hurricane City officials.
The flooding threat is far from over. Heavy downpours could trigger additional flash flooding across Colorado and New Mexico into the weekend, with severe thunderstorms also threatening New Mexico, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.
In southwestern Colorado, the town of Pagosa Springs declared a local disaster emergency after heavy rainfall damaged roads, bridges and other infrastructure. Mandatory evacuations were ordered in low-lying areas along four rivers, including the San Juan, while flooding closed portions of U.S. Highway 160.
Back in Hurricane, neighbors are once again helping the Carters and other families recover from the flooding.
"It's just starting from scratch again," Sheena said. "It’s going to be long and slow and we're going to constantly be worried, we're going to be worried every time it rains."
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