To: All Bountiful City Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Committee Members,

Bountiful City Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Council is issuing an alert for potential emergency weather conditions for tonight through Monday.  The National Weather Service is concerned with the potential for major precipitation and flooding from the storm headed in this weekend, and with temperatures where they are, the chances are there for some major problems depending on which direction the temperatures and incoming moisture go.

Primary Concern:   Forecasters expect freezing rain to occur Saturday 1-7-16 to Sunday morning.  Icy roads may make driving conditions dangerous when the change from rain to ice occurs on the roads – possibly early Sunday morning.  Bountiful City Streets Department has brought in a different ice melt to combat ice on the streets, but we expect conditions could become extremely treacherous depending on temperature variability.

Second, conditions could create a chance of flooding.  The precipitation will change to rain mid-day Sunday, with major periods of rain Sunday through Monday, with the benches perhaps changing to snow during these storms.  With the rain falling upon ice and ground that is saturated, it can cause what is called “sheet flooding”.  Right now the expectation is flooding is most likely in areas of poor drainage, and folks who have experienced basement flooding in the past will see another threat of it Monday.  Because of the temperatures, previous extreme cold air mass in the valley and snow pack and moisture in the air mass, our forecaster says the rain/snow mix will be a mixed bag during this storm.

Third, we are concerned with the weight of the snow and possible additional rain/snow coming in with the storm on structures in the city.  Last year we had several carports, patio structures and flat roofs collapse or break from snow loading, and think that with the rain/snow forecast and amount of incoming moisture, this could potentially be a problem again.  If any residents have concerns on their structures’ ability to support the snow load, now would be the best time to clear and reduce the weight before this next storm arrives.

Bountiful City has been working to plan and prepare for this specific storm since Friday morning including checking storms drains, equipment and supplies.  We believe your city is well prepared.  If during the storm we receive reports of widespread damage or power outages we will activate our Emergency Operations Center and be monitoring the same ham radio frequencies that your emergency communication specialists have used in drills with us.

Please be careful during this next storm, and watch over your older and less physically able neighbors through this event. 

  

Your Bountiful City Neighborhood Emergency Preparedness Council.