The challenges for the residents living in both the communities of Hildale and Colorado City and the emergency personnel continue today. So far, 12 of the 13 missing people in the devastated flash flood area have been located.
According to Emergency Services Coordinator Tom Kuhlmann, “There has been a boil water advisory issued for the cities of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona. The advisory was issued due to damage to the local water system caused by flooding. Water samples will be taken but the results will take 24 hours.”
A Boil Water Advisory is a notification issued by public services as a preventative measure. Boil water advisories are distributed if there is a possibility of contamination in the drinking water system that could make residents ill.
Under a boil-water advisory, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that water be brought to a rolling boil for one minute before it is consumed in order to kill protozoa, bacteria and viruses.
The Boil Water Advisory was issued late Tuesday evening for the Short Creek area which includes the border towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona.
Resources from throughout the state and surrounding counties have been aiding in the search for the last remaining missing person. After a visit from the Lieutenant Governor to the flood devastated area on Tuesday, Sept. 15, Utah State Governor Gary Herbert mobilized soldiers from National Guard units, the 222 FA and the 213 FSC. Both National Guard units arrived on the scene in Hildale Tuesday evening.
The search was again started in earnest Wednesday with local resources, National Guard Units, Salt Lake All Hazards Incident Management Team, Urban Search and Rescue Task Force along with 30 volunteer and professional agencies and other assets.
Kuhlmann stated, “While those efforts provided positive results on Tuesday, we are still searching for one victim still missing. We are committed to finding him.”
Mayor Barlow of Hildale says the last unaccounted-for victim is Tyson Lucas Black, 8 years old.
Washington County Commissioner Alan Gardner told The Independent he thought it was a tragic situation.
“We all need to be aware of where we are and what is happening around us,” Gardner said. “The victims involved weren’t doing anything wrong. They were just stopped for the water to clear so they and their vehicles could cross. The flood came in behind them. It was unfortunate that they got caught in it. Again, it was no fault of theirs.”
“I am impressed with the outpouring of support,” Gardner continued. “Twenty-five entities including local, state and federal agencies came together to help. If there is anything positive that could come out of this, it that everyone came together in a common effort.”
There has been a fund set up for the families involved in the tragedy. The account information for those who wish to help the families of those killed in the Hildale flooding is:
JOSEPHINE NAOMI AND DELLA MEMORIAL FUND
Those wishing to donate may make a deposit at any Mountain America Branch using:
Bank Routing Number: 324079555
Account Number: 011010203333
Marked Deposit to the Account of: JOSEPHINE NAOMI AND DELLA MEMORIAL FUND
Or donations may be mailed to:
JOSEPHINE NAOMI AND DELLA MEMORIAL FUND
PO BOX 842520
HILDALE, UT 84784
Questions may be addressed to:
Mountain America Credit Union
PO Box 9001
West Jordan, UT 84084
Ph: 800-748-4302
Tax ID #: 47-5059916
According to the Washington County Safety website:
Commanders on the Hildale Flash Flood incident are not requesting assistance from the public at this time. They are asking that the public remain out of the area in order to let trained rescuers continue the search for the remaining victim. There is also a concern that the search area is unstable and weather conditions may produce additional moisture. If volunteers are needed a request will be made using Facebook and other media by incident commanders.
