Utah receives major disaster declaration for flooding and mudslides that followed the 2026 Cottonwood Fire

Federal funding will support repair and rebuilding of public infrastructure in Beaver and Piute counties

SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 8, 2026) - President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration on October 7, 2026, for the June 2026 Cottonwood Fire and the ensuing flooding and mudslides that occurred in July.

The declaration means that FEMA public assistance funding will be available to eligible entities in Beaver and Piute counties, which sustained significant damage to public infrastructure. Utahns remember the July 19 flash flood wave that reached Interstate 15 and extended five to six miles west of Beaver, resulting in a complete closure of the Interstate for nearly 12 hours.

A joint damage assessment conducted by FEMA, the state, and local government in the two counties identified at least $47 million in possible eligible damages.

"These rural communities were hit with a one-two punch this summer, first a devastating wildfire and then severe flooding and mudslides," Gov. Cox said. "The damage has been enormous, and the cost of rebuilding is more than these communities can shoulder alone. I'm grateful to President Trump and our federal partners for recognizing the need and helping Utah recover. This is an important step toward getting these communities back on their feet."

Disaster damages

Beaver City Power's hydroelectric system saw catastrophic damage to its diversions, pipes, and buildings. The loss of the power generation has required Beaver City to buy power until their equipment can be restored, adding to their already strained budgets and resources.

Culinary and agricultural watersheds and water sources were damaged and contaminated, and several local communities had to deal with extended boil water or no water orders, with drinking water needing to be trucked in until systems could be cleared and tested. The loss of water systems up the canyons has caused strain on valley supplies, with pumps and ground aquifers being pushed beyond capacity, and causing ongoing water management issues.

Several roads remain closed, including Utah State Route 153, which is the primary road up Beaver Canyon and an important connecting route between Beaver and Piute counties.

Public Assistance

The Utah Department of Public Safety's Division of Emergency Management will work closely with FEMA and with the counties to administer FEMA Public Assistance funding made available under the flooding declaration. Public Assistance is a FEMA reimbursement program for emergency work and the repair or replacement of publicly owned disaster-damaged facilities and infrastructure. It provides 75 percent of eligible costs related to repairing or replacing damaged infrastructure.

"We appreciate the relationship with FEMA and their ability to bring this assistance to Beaver and Piute counties," said Division of Emergency Management Director Kris Hamlet. "We are honored to support our local partners' tremendous work and stand with them in their disaster recovery and resilience efforts."

This is the first major disaster declaration for Utah since the statewide flooding of 2023.

Utah Division of Emergency Management will activate its disaster recovery staff to provide applicant briefings and other information throughout the declaration period to help eligible entities complete reimbursement applications.

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