HomeMy WebLinkAboutG 20250194 - 1 of 2025 Emergency Declaration: Flooding1
SALT LAKE CITY DECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY
AND EXERCISE OF EMERGENCY POWERS
No. 1 of 2025
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Under Utah Code 53-2a-208(1), Mayor Erin Mendenhall, as the chief executive of Salt
Lake City Corporation, may declare by proclamation a state of emergency if she finds that (a) a
disaster has occurred or the occurrence or threat or a disaster is imminent in an area of the
municipality; and (b) the municipality requires additional assistance to supplement the response
and recovery efforts of the municipality.
A disaster is defined as “an event that causes, or threatens to cause loss of life, human
suffering, public or private property damage, or economic or social disruption resulting from
attack, internal disturbance, natural phenomena, or technological hazard; and requires resources
that are beyond the scope of local agencies in routine responses to emergencies and accidents and
may be of a magnitude or involve unusual circumstances that require response by government,
not-for-profit or private entities.” Utah Code 53-2a-102(5). “Natural phenomena” includes a
flood. Utah Code 53-2a-102(14).
Under Utah Code 53-2a-208(2) the declaration of a local emergency (a) constitutes the
official recognition that a disaster situation exists within the affected municipality; (b) provides a
legal basis for requesting and obtaining mutual aid or disaster assistance from other political
subdivisions or from the state or federal government; (c) activates the response and recovery
aspects of any and all applicable local disaster emergency plans; and (d) authorizes the furnishing
of aid and assistance in relation to the proclamation.
The emergency proclamation declaring a local emergency must include (a) the nature of
the local emergency; (b) the area or areas that are affected or threatened; and (c) the conditions
that caused the emergency. Utah Code 53-2a-208(3).
A local emergency remains in effect until the earlier of (a) the chief executive finds that
threat or danger has passed, emergency conditions no longer exist, or, the municipality no longer
requires additional assistance, (b) for thirty days, or (c) the day on which the legislative body of
the municipality terminates the state of emergency by majority vote. The local emergency may be
extended by the municipal legislative body or terminated by joint resolution of the Utah
Legislature if the state of emergency has been in effect for more than 30 days. Utah Code 53-2a-
208(6); 53-2a-216.1
1 If a local emergency is terminated, a new state of emergency in response to the same disaster may be declared if
the Mayor finds that exigent circumstances exist for a second declaration of local emergency. Utah Code 53-2a-
208(7). “Exigent circumstances” means a significant change in circumstances following the expiration of a state of
emergency declared in accordance with this chapter that (a) substantially increases the threat to public safety or
health relative to the circumstances in existence when the state of emergency expired; (b) poses an imminent threat
to public safety or health; and (c) was not known or foreseen and could not have been known or foreseen at the time
the state of emergency expired. Utah Code 53-2a-203(3).
2
After a Mayor declares a local emergency, the Mayor may exercise emergency authority,
including, but not limited to, (a) utilizing all available resources of the political subdivision as
reasonably necessary to manage the local emergency and (b) employing measures and giving
direction to local officers and agencies which are reasonable and necessary for the purpose of
securing compliance with the provisions of the Disaster Response and Recovery Act, and with
orders, rules and regulations made under the act. Utah Code 53-2a-205.
After an order is issued by the Mayor pursuant to her emergency authority, the order “shall
have the full force and effect of law during the state of emergency” and the order must be filed
with the office of the clerk of the municipality and delivered to Salt Lake County. Utah Code 53-
2a-209.
In addition, under Salt Lake City Code, upon declaring a local emergency, the Mayor may
temporarily suspend specific provisions of Salt Lake City ordinances, polices, or executive orders,
during the local emergency, if compliance with such provisions would prevent, hinder, or delay
action necessary to cope with the local emergency, subject to superior state and federal
constitutions, laws, or regulations. Salt Lake City Code 22.03.030(O).
FACTS
Beginning Friday, October 3, 2025 and persisting through Saturday, October 4, 2025, a
severe weather/rain event struck Salt Lake City with approximately 2.5 inches of rain falling
during a 14-hour period. News reports 2 indicated that this was the most rainfall received in a day
in over 124 years. This severe weather event caused localized flooding and damage to public and
private property in the Rose Park neighborhoods near 2000 West and 800 North due to a drainage
canal that had been overloaded due to the amount of rain that had fallen in the relatively short
timeframe. Flooding may impact public roads, parks, homes, and businesses, causes imminent
threats to life, safety, and property, and constitutes a disaster under Utah Code 53-2a-102(5).
LOCAL EMERGENCY DECLARATION
Pursuant to Utah Code Section 53-2a-208 and City Code 22.03.010, Salt Lake City Mayor
Erin Mendenhall makes the following proclamation declaring a local emergency:
1. Finding of a Disaster; Nature of the Local Emergency. The Mayor hereby finds that due
to flooding caused by the severe weather/rain event, a disaster, as defined by Utah Code 53-2a-
102(5) exists in Salt Lake City. This disaster necessitates a declaration of local emergency in the
entirety of Salt Lake City.
2. Conditions Causing the Emergency. Rapid rainfall in large volumes overwhelmed a
drainage canal and led to flooding in the Rose Park neighborhoods near 2000 West and 800 North.
Flooding has created emergency conditions causing the necessity to declare a local emergency in
Salt Lake City.
2 “Salt Lake City records highest rain totals in more than 120 years,” (October 4, 2025) by Cristian Sida,
KUTV.com. (https://perma.cc/2LGL-4VSU ).
3
3. Emergency Powers and Operations. The emergency powers and operations of Salt Lake
City are hereby invoked, and Salt Lake City’s personnel and resources are ordered and authorized
to perform all functions authorized by federal, state, and local law to address this local emergency.
4. Term. This proclamation shall take effect immediately and will be ongoing for thirty (30)
days unless an extension is authorized or otherwise terminated.
5. Assistance. Salt Lake City is authorized to request all assistance available with respect to
this local emergency from all federal, state, and local sources and is authorized to activate all
applicable mutual aid agreements.
EMERGENCY ORDER
Pursuant to Utah Code Section 53-2a-205, Utah Code 53-2a-209, and City Code 22.03.030,
the Mayor Erin Mendenhall issues the following emergency order:
1. Activation of Emergency Response Measures. City officials may close roads and public
spaces, conduct emergency alerts, and require evacuations as needed to address the flooding
emergency and mitigation efforts. City officials may engage local and community organizations
for volunteer efforts and services for the community. The City procurement code and rules are
hereby waived for the purchase of goods and services in furtherance of addressing the flood
conditions and related mitigation and relief efforts, including support of all emergency responders,
volunteers, City personnel and operations, and similar efforts as they become needed.
2. Filing and Dissemination. This proclamation will be filed with the Salt Lake City
Recorder and will be delivered to the State of Utah and Salt Lake County and will be disseminated
to local media.
Dated this 6th day of October, 2025.
______________________
Erin Mendenhall
Salt Lake City Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Keith Reynolds, City Recorder
Approved as to Form:
_________________________________
Mark E. Kittrell, Salt Lake City Attorney
Erin Mendenhall (Oct 6, 2025 14:00:51 MDT)
EmergencyDeclaration_Flooding_RosePark_FIN
AL
Final Audit Report 2025-10-06
Created:2025-10-06
By:Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAAQM3inyXk7-tYgs_Y6-O39DlCo7itTgpL
"EmergencyDeclaration_Flooding_RosePark_FINAL" History
Document created by Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov)
2025-10-06 - 7:42:28 PM GMT
Document emailed to Mark Kittrell (mark.kittrell@slc.gov) for signature
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Email viewed by Mark Kittrell (mark.kittrell@slc.gov)
2025-10-06 - 7:46:06 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Mark Kittrell (mark.kittrell@slc.gov)
Signature Date: 2025-10-06 - 7:46:28 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Document emailed to Erin Mendenhall (erin.mendenhall@slc.gov) for signature
2025-10-06 - 7:46:30 PM GMT
Email viewed by Erin Mendenhall (erin.mendenhall@slc.gov)
2025-10-06 - 7:56:06 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Erin Mendenhall (erin.mendenhall@slc.gov)
Signature Date: 2025-10-06 - 8:00:51 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Document emailed to Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) for signature
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Email viewed by Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov)
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Document e-signed by Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov)
Signature Date: 2025-10-06 - 8:02:14 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Agreement completed.
2025-10-06 - 8:02:14 PM GMT