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Leaders in small Utah town looking for ways to prevent future flooding as cleanup continues

“They’re unpredictable,” said Chief Matt Montoya with the Helper Fire Department.

(FOX 13) Recent flash floods have damaged homes in Helper, Utah. June 20, 2022.

Helper, Utah • Monday was an exhausting day for the city of Helper in Carbon County as crews and neighbors cleaned up the aftermath of Sunday’s flash floods.

“They’re unpredictable,” said Chief Matt Montoya with the Helper Fire Department. “You’re at the mercy of Mother Nature. You don’t know what’s going to happen, how bad it’s going to be.”

The strong waters breached many riverbanks, flowing over the road and into nearby homes, campgrounds and golf courses.

“The flash flood warning came across our phones about the time it was happening,” said Montoya.

A few homes just off of historic downtown Helper Main Street filled with water Sunday. Debris, logs and boulders clogged up the bridge on Ivy Street, causing the water to overflow into a nearby neighborhood.

To read more, visit FOX 13.

This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aim to inform readers across the state.

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By Emily Tencer | FOX 13