Spanish Fork, Utah — Spanish Fork Mayor Mike Mendenhall has issued an Emergency Declaration for Spanish Fork City. With current river forecasts, City officials are expecting high and fast flows in the Spanish Fork River starting immediately.
“The runoff this week is going to test our river’s capacity,” Mayor Mendenhall said. “City crews have done a lot of work in preparing the river channel for the snow melt and volunteers have shown up in force and filled thousands of sandbags over the weekend. Issuing this emergency declaration is the next step as we start reacting to the river.”
Declaring the local emergency is also a formal step that will give the City the potential to access state funds and resources during our response efforts in the coming days and weeks.
“The river is constantly changing and it’s bringing a lot of debris downstream,” Mayor Mendenhall continued. “Right now, one of our biggest concerns is bridge capacity. If water can’t go under the bridge, we want to help get water over the bridge and away from homes and businesses.
“We also want to ensure that no new debris is added from homes and businesses along the river that could create a dam,” Mendenhall said. “We have a good plan in place, but it’s time to be even more serious about being safe around the river.”
As the river water gets faster and higher, all residents should stay safe by staying out of the river, keeping children & pets far from banks, and avoiding river recreation.
Spanish Fork City is also looking for volunteers to help fill sandbags! Sandbag filling will take place today (5/1) from 2-8 p.m. and tomorrow (5/2) from 12-8 p.m. Volunteers should sign up at spanishfork.org/flood before coming to the fairgrounds.
Follow Spanish Fork City on Facebook and Twitter @spanishforkcity and check spanishfork.org/flood for the most complete and up-to-date information about the river.
You can read the entire proclamation on our website.
ABOUT SPANISH FORK CITY
Located in southern Utah County, Spanish Fork is the fourth largest city in the county, with over 45,000 residents. Spanish Fork strives to maintain a high quality of life for working, recreating, and living, all while preserving the community’s small-town heritage, making Spanish Fork City the home of pride and progress.
MEDIA CONTACT
Nick Porter
Public Information Officer
801.804.4587
nporter@spanishfork.org