Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Salt Lake City UT
- Areas
- Washington, UT
- Places
- Santa Clara, Ivins
- In effect
- until 9:45 PM MDT, Oct 21, 2026
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Detection
- Radar indicated
What the National Weather Service says
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads.”
NWS Salt Lake City UT, Flash Flood Warning, 8:24 PM MDT Oct 21, 2026 · official alert
“Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
NWS Salt Lake City UT, Flash Flood Warning, 8:24 PM MDT Oct 21, 2026 · official alert
“Life threatening flash flooding along the Santa Clara River, with additional impacts to urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.”
NWS Salt Lake City UT, Flash Flood Warning, 8:24 PM MDT Oct 21, 2026 · official alert
What to do
If you are in Santa Clara, Ivins or near the Santa Clara River, move to higher ground now. Stay away from the river and from low-lying areas.
Do not drive into flooded roads or around barricades. The National Weather Service says to turn around, don't drown, because most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away. Avoid underpasses and flooded streets.
The warning lasts until 9:45 PM MDT, and the National Weather Service says more thunderstorms are possible over the next couple of hours. Keep checking official alerts.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance records show 64 claims in Washington County from 1978 to 2026, as of September 9, 2026. These counts cover only insured properties, so they understate total flood damage.
FEMA has made two flood-related disaster declarations for the county: severe storm and flooding in November 2012 (declaration 4088), and severe winter storm and flooding in February 2011 (declaration 1955).
Updates
- The flash flood warning expired at 9:45 PM MDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the flash flood warning; it remains in effect until 9:45 PM MDT.
- NWS Salt Lake City UT issued the flash flood warning until 9:45 PM MDT.
History here
Washington County: 64 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
Washington County: recent federal disaster declarations
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Questions
- Is there a flash flood warning in Washington County, Utah?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City issued a Flash Flood Warning for south central Washington County at 6:42 PM MDT. It remains in effect until 9:45 PM MDT.
- Which places are affected by the flash flood warning near Santa Clara and Ivins?
- The warning covers south central Washington County in southwestern Utah. The National Weather Service names Santa Clara and Ivins among the places that will experience flash flooding.
- How serious is this flash flood warning?
- The National Weather Service calls it life threatening flash flooding along the Santa Clara River. Radar indicated thunderstorms, with 0.5 to 1 inch of rain already fallen and flash flooding ongoing or expected shortly.
Sources
- NWS Salt Lake City UT: Flash Flood Warning, Oct 21, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.