Governor's Executive Order EO/10/2012:Declaring a State of Emergency Due to a Breached Dam and Flooding in Washington County

Issued: September 20, 2012

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EXECUTIVE ORDER

Declaring a State of Emergency Due to a Breached Dam and Flooding in Washington County

WHEREAS, on September 11, 2012, following a significant rainfall in which approximately 3.25 inches of rain fell in a four hour period, the Laub Dam in Santa Clara, Utah, breached;

WHEREAS, the breach resulted in substantial flooding, mud, and debris, requiring evacuations, threatening life and property, and causing costly damage to homes, businesses, and public property;

WHEREAS, the areas hardest hit were in Santa Clara, St. George, Ivins, and other portions of Washington County;

WHEREAS, the high flows of water, mud, and debris disrupted business, transportation, waste water, storm drains, communications and power;

WHEREAS, the damage caused by the water, mud, and debris included damage to roads, infrastructure, and at least 66 homes and 18 businesses;

WHEREAS, on September 11, 2012, Santa Clara declared a local emergency, and subsequently, Washington County declared a local emergency;

WHEREAS, the Utah Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management increased activities to support the incident, implement response procedures, and coordinated resources to support local officials in alleviating the immediate social and economic impacts to people, property, and infrastructure, and is continuing to assess the magnitude of the event; and

WHEREAS, these conditions constitute a disaster within the intent of the Disaster Response and Recovery Act found in Title 63K, Chapter 4 of the Utah Code;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gary R. Herbert, Governor of the State of Utah, do hereby declare that a "State of Emergency" exists due to the aforesaid circumstances, requiring aid, assistance, and relief.

I HEREBY ORDER the continued execution of the State Emergency Operations Plan and assistance from State government as needed and coordinated by the Department of Public Safety.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Utah this the 20th day of September 2012.

(State Seal)

Gary R. Herbert
Governor, State of Utah

ATTEST:

Greg Bell
Lieutenant Governor

EO/10/2012

 

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