Flooding, mudslides force evacuations in Saratoga Springs

Flooding and mudslides caused by heavy rains forced Saratoga Springs residents from their homes Saturday night.

About 24 homes were affected as of 9:45 p.m., according to the city's Facebook page. The flooding occurred in the area where a fire in June burned more than 5,500 acres, leaving hillsides barren of vegetation and less able to retain moisture.

The American Red Cross in Utah was on the way to the city at about 9:30 p.m. to assist people who needed shelter. Crews from the city and the Utah Department of Transportation were working to clear Redwood Road near 20th South, which was closed and impassible.

But after a blustery day of thunderstorms and wind that also knocked out power for thousands of Utahns, most of the state can look forward to a more pleasant Sunday.

While southeastern Utah may have a few thunderstorms and rain, northern Utah will be mostly sunny with only a chance of some showers with a high temperature in the mid 80s, according to the National Weather Service.

"It will be a lot less chaotic," said meteorologist Monica Traphagan.

Ogden was forecast for a high of 82 degrees; Provo 86; Logan 83; Wendover 85; Duchesne 81; Cedar City 84; St. George 96; and Moab 90 degrees.

The NWS issued a flash flood watch for much of the state through Saturday night. The advisory covered an area stretching from Provo in the north and running south to Nephi, Price, Milford, Green River, St. George and Zion National Park.

Flooding on Saturday forced a closure of State Route 31 around the Seeley Fire burn scar in Emery County, a closure that will last until Tuesday.

In the wake of wild, windy, and rainy Friday night, more than 14,000 northern Utahns awoke Saturday morning to find themselves without electricity.

Rocky Mountain Power spokeswoman Margaret Ohler said crews Saturday night had restored service to all but 400 customers in Weber County and 223 customers in Bluffdale.

Ohler said all the outages were storm-related, being triggered by transmission lines downed by winds, and in one case a lightning strike.

mmcfall@sltrib.com