June 1, 2023 |
Photo – North Platte River – Bigfoot99 file photo
Carbon County’s flood danger is likely close to being over, says National Weather Service.
Good news was shared during this week’s county-wide flood coordination call. National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist Jared Allen said no river in Carbon County is in, or predicted to be in, flood stage.
Allen said the rivers are expected to remain at the same level throughout the week. The National Weather Service Meteorologist said sporadic afternoon rain storms were unlikely to have a noticeable effect on either the Little Snake or North Platte Rivers.
Allen said afternoon showers and thunderstorms were forecasted into the weekend with higher elevations seeing more rainfall than lower altitudes. However, he said the rain was not expected to add much runoff into the rivers.
Allen said the Little Snake River was hovering around the action stage of 8.5 feet. He said the river level could potentially decrease as the week progressed.
Allen said the forecast for the North Platte River was looking good. The National Weather Service Meteorologist said the river is lower than originally forecasted.
Traditionally, the first and second weeks of June see the highest water levels of the year. Allen said his computer models are showing peak water occurring this week. He said flooding was looking unlikely, but we aren’t completely out of danger yet.
The news from the towns was positive as well. Carbon County Emergency Manager Lenny Layman said if the rivers continue to lower, he will begin to wind down the county flood operation.
Saratoga’s emergency manager Sergeant Tyler Christen gave an update on Veteran’s Island. Sgt. Christen said the park was reinforced during the major flood of 2011. He said the defenses are still holding up.
With the worst likely behind us, Layman said the county wasn’t simply lucky in avoiding catastrophe. The emergency manager said while he was hoping for the best, the Office of Emergency Management was planning for the worst.
Tuesday’s National Weather Service forecast was good news for the people of Carbon County. Layman said he will begin talking about standing down his flood preparedness operations during the next county-wide flood coordination call on Friday.
