Flooding Information:
Updated March 9, 2023
We have had a lot of questions about flooding potential within the county the last few days. We are appreciative of the effort that residents are wanting to make to be prepared. Managing flooding requires everyone’s engagement. As residents we need to start now to take steps to protect our homes. Cities and Weber County will do what they can to manage the water on a broader scale as they do not have enough sand and sandbags to prevent all potential flooding issues and will need to be strategic in use of limited resources. The cities and Weber County will be working on trying to keep water from getting to your residence and may assist residents in the emergency stage, however, it may not be in time to prevent it.
Here are some ways to be better prepared when the runoff starts.
- If your home has snow surrounding it, please remove it 3 to 5’ from your home.
- Once you clear the snow away from your home, use that area to place your sandbags. Check our Weber County Emergency Management website, https://www.webercountyutah.gov/sheriff/homeland/ for some information on how to sandbag. Try not to stage your sandbags too early as they will be exposed to the elements and can be ineffective in active flooding.
- If you have a sump pump, please check it frequently and make sure it is ready to go when you need it. If it is already working, continue to keep an eye on it, and make plans in case you lose power so that you can continue to run your sump pump. If you think you live in an area that may flood into your home, consider getting a sump pump and purchase early. It is harder to find one to purchase when the region is in active flooding.
- If you live in an incorporated township or city, any questions about their flood planning and response goes to their city office. The county is responsible for county infrastructure and unincorporated areas of the county and they are our first priority. The cities and towns can work with us on planning and any response gaps they have, but we are respectful of their plans and protocols and do not supersede their authority.
- If you are unincorporated Weber County, know that we do stage sand and often sandbags in emergent flooding situations only. We generally do not pre-stage sand or sandbags for the following reasons:
- If we pre-stage sand, it is often at our Roads Department shops because we are able to cover the sand. If we pre-stage sand out in the elements, it gets wet and therefore, defeats the purpose for the sandbag.
- Sand bags that are left out in the elements when there is not active flooding can become saturated and subject to freezing and repeated thawing, thus causing them to break down and burst, making them ineffective during active flooding.
- If there is active flooding in your location, call 801-395-8221 if you have a life safety emergency call 911 and the request will be dispatched immediately and we will respond with sand and bags quickly.
- For more flooding preparedness information or to volunteer to assist with sandbagging within the unincorporated county, you may sign up here: https://www.webercountyutah.gov/sheriff/homeland/
Weber County Utah