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Floods bring rare relief to US Southwest reservoirs as Lake Powell rises 20 feet

Floods bring rare relief to US Southwest reservoirs as Lake Powell rises 20 feet

Record rainfall in the U.S. Southwest is providing rare relief to the region's depleted reservoirs

Utah Governor Declares State of Emergency in San Juan and Washington Counties Due to Extensive Flooding

Utah Governor Declares State of Emergency in San Juan and Washington Counties Due to Extensive Flooding

Utah Governor Spencer Cox has declared a state of emergency for San Juan and Washington Counties, effective November 6, 2026, in response to widespread flooding in southern Utah. This declaration, which will last for 30 days with potential for legislative extension, enables the state to deploy additional resources, including equipment, personnel, and emergency supplies, to the affected areas. It also facilitates the allocation of state funds and opens the possibility of requesting federal assistance. The flooding has caused significant damage, particularly to roadways in San Juan County, including the washout of the Comb Wash Bridge. Communities along the San Juan River, such as Bluff, Aneth, and Montezuma Creek, have been severely impacted, with flooding also affecting other parts of the county and closing a section of Highway 191 north of Monticello. Health officials have also reported elevated E. Coli levels in Cottonwood Wash and the San Juan River, advising against water consumption and recommending p...

Southwestern US Faces Severe Flooding and Iconic Rock Formations Collapse

Southwestern US Faces Severe Flooding and Iconic Rock Formations Collapse

The southwestern United States, including parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona, has experienced significant flooding due to back-to-back storms. These storms, combined with an already wet autumn, have caused rivers to overflow and floodwaters to erode landscapes, destroy homes, and damage infrastructure. Notably, two iconic rock formations, the Alien Throne and King of Wings, have collapsed due to the natural forces that originally shaped them. Experts estimate that over 20 trillion gallons (75.7 trillion litres) of rain fell across the region during late October and early November.

U.S. Southwest Reservoirs Receive Rare Relief from Flooding, Lake Powell Rises 20 Feet

U.S. Southwest Reservoirs Receive Rare Relief from Flooding, Lake Powell Rises 20 Feet

Recent flooding across the U.S. Southwest has provided a significant, albeit temporary, boost to reservoirs that have been at record lows due to a prolonged megadrought. Storms in late October and early November caused creeks to overflow, leading to localized flooding and evacuations. Much of this water is now flowing into depleted lakes and underground aquifers. Lake Powell, the nation's second-largest reservoir, has seen its water level rise by over 20 feet from its mid-September low, surpassing gains from this year's snowmelt. Despite this increase, Lake Powell remains just over a quarter full, with most of its boat launches still unusable. Cities like Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and Flagstaff, Arizona, have reported some of their wettest weather in decades, leading to the lifting of water restrictions and substantial increases in local water supplies. For instance, Upper Lake Mary, a key water source for Flagstaff, received over 3 billion gallons of water since early October.

West Jordan Residents Report Disruptive Noise from Aligned Data Centers, Health Department Investigates

West Jordan Residents Report Disruptive Noise from Aligned Data Centers, Health Department Investigates

Residents in a West Jordan neighborhood are experiencing significant disruption due to constant humming and generator noise emanating from an Aligned Data Centers campus. Susan Jurges, a local resident, reported that the noise becomes unbearable when the generators activate, sometimes for over two hours, nearly daily. This has led her to leave her home to escape the disturbance. The data center campus, located at 3333 W. 9000 South, consists of three facilities built in phases since 2018. Another resident, Theresa Sorensen, who has lived in the area for over 30 years, stated that her property value has decreased while her taxes have risen, making her feel trapped. The Salt Lake County Health Department has received four formal noise complaints since August and has initiated an investigation. The county's noise ordinance restricts loud sounds between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. and sets daytime limits. Residents claim that some noise readings collected by investigators have exceeded legal limits. Aligned Data Center...

Governor Cox Champions Critical Minerals Initiative to Boost Utah's Economic and National Security Role

Governor Cox Champions Critical Minerals Initiative to Boost Utah's Economic and National Security Role

Governor Cox Champions Critical Minerals Initiative to Boost Utah's Economic and National Security Role

Utah Governor Spencer Cox Declares State of Emergency for Flood-Damaged Counties

Utah Governor Spencer Cox Declares State of Emergency for Flood-Damaged Counties

Utah Governor Spencer Cox has declared a 30-day state of emergency for Washington and San Juan Counties following severe thunderstorms and flash flooding. The executive order, signed on Friday, November 6, 2026, aims to mobilize state resources and facilitate requests for federal and interstate funds to aid recovery efforts. The affected areas experienced multiple rounds of damaging floods between October 22 and November 1, impacting homes, roads, and water systems. Specifically, U.S. Route 163 and State Routes 162 and 262 sustained damage, including the closure of the Comb Wash Bridge due to erosion. Drinking water systems were contaminated, and telecommunications infrastructure was compromised. The full extent of the damage remains unclear as floodwaters have not yet fully receded in all areas. Governor Cox expressed gratitude to emergency responders and crews working to ensure public safety.

US measles cases climb above 5,000 for first time since 1991

US measles cases climb above 5,000 for first time since 1991

Nov 6 (Reuters) - US measles cases have surged to 5,182 so far this year, the highest annual total recorded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 35 years, as the disease continues to spread across the country.

Wildlands Network Implements Wildlife-Friendly Fencing Projects Across Western U.S. Migration Corridors

Wildlands Network Implements Wildlife-Friendly Fencing Projects Across Western U.S. Migration Corridors

Wildlands Network has initiated and expanded wildlife-friendly fencing projects across the Western U.S., specifically in Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. These efforts aim to mitigate the impact of fences on the migration routes of animals like elk, pronghorn, and deer, which have used these paths for centuries. In 2023, the organization began its first project in Utah's Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, focusing on the Paunsaugunt mule deer herd. This involved inventorying over 150 miles of fence with the help of more than 50 volunteers and a survey tool developed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR). Based on this data, 12 miles of fence were identified for modification to meet wildlife-friendly specifications, particularly near existing wildlife underpasses. In 2025, volunteers removed bottom wires across 11 miles of fence, which were then replaced with smooth wire and adjusted to proper heights to prevent entanglements. An additional 7 miles were retrofitted in the past year, wit...

PRO Skijor Announces Expanded Seven-Stop 2027 Frontier Tour, Returning to Nampa

PRO Skijor Announces Expanded Seven-Stop 2027 Frontier Tour, Returning to Nampa

PRO Skijor Announces Expanded Seven-Stop 2027 Frontier Tour, Returning to Nampa

New Delhi Residents Brace for Severe Winter Air Pollution as Government Implements Action Plan

New Delhi Residents Brace for Severe Winter Air Pollution as Government Implements Action Plan

Residents of New Delhi, India, are preparing for another season of severe air pollution as winter approaches. The city is already experiencing a grey haze and a smoky smell, leading to complaints of eye irritation and breathing difficulties. This annual phenomenon is attributed to falling temperatures and slower winds trapping pollutants, combined with smoke from crop residue burning in neighboring states, vehicle and factory emissions, and construction dust. Air purifiers have become a household necessity for those who can afford them, and many residents are wearing masks outdoors. In response, the Delhi government has implemented a Winter Action Plan, which began on November 1 and will run until February 28, aiming to address the pollution spike. Experts acknowledge this proactive step but emphasize the need for more holistic and long-lasting measures beyond the current plan.

Super El Niño Nears Record Strength, Influencing U.S. Weather Patterns with Flooding and Drought Relief

Super El Niño Nears Record Strength, Influencing U.S. Weather Patterns with Flooding and Drought Relief

A 'Super El Niño' event is nearing record strength, significantly impacting weather patterns across the United States. Sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean were 2.5 degrees Celsius above average in late October. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center indicates a high probability for this El Niño to exceed the strength of previous events since 1950, potentially becoming the strongest in 1,000 years based on historical evidence. This powerful El Niño has already influenced the Atlantic hurricane season, limiting it to only one hurricane, the fewest on record since 1925. Its effects are now settling into typical winter patterns across the U.S., with recent events including major flash floods in the Desert Southwest, up to two feet of rain in the Florida Peninsula, and significant overnight flash floods in the mountains of northern Georgia and southeastern Tennessee. Conversely, many cities in the central U.S. have experienced a record warm and dry fall.