Despite rescues, flood damage, things could have been much worse for Moab [Video]

MOAB, Utah — Hikers were left stranded by rising flood waters and local businesses saw damages from the downpours after fast and furious storms caused havoc this weekend in Moab.

But Mayor Joette Langaniese says it could have been much worse.

Respecting the power of water, especially in what can be a very unforgiving desert climate, is something Langaniese reinforced Monday, two years after similar storms caused serious damage. In 2022, mud piled onto Main Street, and dozens of local homes and businesses sustained damage from the raging waters.

“If it would have lasted another half hour, this would have been a different story,” the mayor shared.

The mayor believes the city’s flood mitigation efforts back then prevented this weekend’s rainstorms from leaving similar destruction behind.

“We did a lot of work. People did get some flooding. Some business downtown got flooded. Some businesses had to be evacuated that were …