Flooding in Moab causes road closures and business evacuations

Flash flooding in Moab due to heavy rain has caused multiple roads to close and businesses in the area to evacuate.

Roads were washed out with just under an inch of rain in 10 minutes — the equivalent of about a month’s worth.

Moab’s assistant police chief, James Blanton, said 400 East and Kane Creek were shut down Friday evening, though evacuations were lifted and water began to subside by nighttime.

Establishments near Mill Creek were being evacuated, police posted on Facebook.

Blanton said police have had to “rescue” people, without including any specifics.

Large amounts of mud could be seen smeared across roads and street banks were significantly flooded.

Officials asked people in the Moab area to avoid Mill Creek and the bridge on 400 East, but the water began to subside and things opened back up.

Kane Creek from 500 West to Main Street was closed indefinitely, officials said late Friday night.