Flood Watch

Moisture associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel will impact Utah this weekend bringing widespread rainfall totals ranging from 2-4". Some highly localized amounts to 6-8" are also possible, particularly across terrain-favored locations in southwestern Utah, the Book Cliffs, and Bear River Range.

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

* WHERE...A portion of Utah, including the following areas, Castle Country, Central Mountains, Eastern Juab/Millard Counties, San Rafael Swell, Sanpete Valley, Sevier Valley, Wasatch Plateau/Book Cliffs, Bryce Canyon Country, Capitol Reef National Park and Vicinity, Glen Canyon Recreation Area/Lake Powell, South Central Utah, Southern Mountains, Upper Sevier River Valleys, Western Canyonlands, Lower Washington County, Southwest Utah and Zion National Park. This also includes recent burn scars such as Forsyth, Cottonwood, Silver King, France Canyon, and Monroe Canyon.

* WHEN...From Saturday afternoon through Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, dry washes, slot canyons, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations such as slickrock areas and recent burn scars. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Anomalously high moisture is forecast to impact the region with the arrival of the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel. While this is expected to be a long duration rainfall event, scattered instances of heavier rainfall rates are expected with stronger storms yielding flash flooding concerns given saturated soils and prior burn scars. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood