When daylight faded Tuesday, Huntsman signed his first executive order proclaiming a state of emergency and requesting federal financial assistance.

Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are expected to tour the area today, since the damage totals exceed the federal minimum of $2.5 million.

"The heavy and unpredictable hand of mother nature" caused an estimated $8 to $10 million in damages to water lines, roadways and bridges," said Huntsman, his first state emergency coming just nine days into his administration.

That total does not count the homes swept away by the quickly expanding Virgin and Santa Clara rivers, overloaded by recent rain and snow runoff.

The governor took a state twin-propeller plane on a turbulent trip to St. George and saw the muddy waters for the first time as the aircraft approached the runway.

"You have to see it to believe it, don't you?" Huntsman said. "We have a big problem on our hands."

Huntsman was met at the airport by state Public Safety Commissioner Robert Flowers, who spirited him on a speedy tour of devastated areas, including stops in St. George, Bloomington, Enterprise, Santa Clara, Hurricane and Toquerville.

In the back yard of Washington County Commissioner James Eardley, Huntsman observed the water starting to tear apart the commissioner's fence and nearly cover his barbecue.

Huntsman pointed to Eardley's small shed and deadpanned: "That hay is going to be a little water logged."

The governor's convoy traveled double the speed limit at times en route to the town of Enterprise, concerned about possible damage to the reservoir that could threaten the safety of hundreds of people. Mayor Merrill Fisher told Huntsman the reservoir is sound, but some of the major roadways were impassible.

Water lapped up over Huntsman's new rubber boots as he stood in the middle of West Enterprise Road - now part of the path of the rapidly expanding Shoal Creek, which residents say they could hop over during an average winter.

That water looked docile compared to the torrents in Santa Clara. Sheri Wagner, who lives on a nearby bluff, showed Huntsman where a barn had been swallowed whole and where a recently laid million water pipeline was exposed and damaged once the road that covered it was ripped away.

When he went down the bluff for a closer look, Huntsman saw a half-destroyed home slowly falling apart as the water continued to erode the riverbank

"I don't think there is anything as devastating - other than losing a loved one - than losing your home," Huntsman said after signing the executive order. "This truly leaves an indelible impression on the minds of those who see it firsthand."

Huntsman plans to fly over the area today in a helicopter.

mcanham@sltrib.com