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Gov. Gary Herbert issued a state of emergency Friday in the wake of February flooding that caused millions of dollars of damage in Box Elder and Cache counties.
The declaration is a key legal document that must be issued before Herbert can request a disaster declaration and receive federal funds for the recovery, a Utah Department of Public Safety news release said.
The executive order declaring the emergency states widespread flooding between Feb. 7 and 27 severely damaged roads, bridges, culverts, homes, businesses and utilities across the two counties. Estimates stand at $6.7 million.
Both counties, as well as the cities of Garland and Brigham City, previously issued local emergency decrees.
Officials say they have been working to get necessary resources for cleanup and repair in the communities. Herbert's order notes remaining snowmelt could continue to cause issues in the area as rivers spill over.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will review Utah's damage estimates.
The state then will decide whether to file a request to declare a "major disaster" declaration, which could open up federal reimbursement funds for the two counties.
The Department of Public Safety says flooding is the most common natural disaster in Utah.
Off 11 major disaster declarations in its history, nine have come from flooding.