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Moab 240 Canceled as Tropical Storm Rachel Brings Flooding

By Drooid · Oct 12, 2026, 11:37 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Destination Trail Evacuates

Destination Trail evacuated about 70 runners and volunteers from the Moab 240 after flooding.
San Juan County Sheriff's Office moved participants to Moab headquarters using buses and an ATV shuttle.
Race officials canceled the Moab 240 because wind, rain, freezing temperatures and falling trees made conditions unsafe.
Remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel brought heavy rain and wind gusts up to 51 mph regionwide.

Summary

Utah towns sandbag

Hurricane and Sandy towns in Utah are giving free sandbags before the storm.
Salt Lake County declared a local emergency and closed Newport Beach piers because of flooding.
Officials warn burn-scar areas and slot canyons could see dangerous runoff like July-August floods.
Meteorologists say the rain may boost soil moisture and help Utah’s water supply despite drought.

History

Historical Context

The September 2011 Utah floods, triggered by 5 inches of rain, inundated the Wasatch Front and caused widespread damage to communities. The Utah Department of Transportation reported 1,200 homes damaged and $30 million in repair costs, while the Weather Service issued warnings for Salt Lake County. Similarly, today’s Tropical Storm Rachel forced the Sheriff's Office to evacuate Moab 240 runners and prompted Salt Lake County to declare an emergency and distribute sandbags. These recurring flash-flood events underscore Utah’s need for robust emergency planning and infrastructure upgrades to mitigate future storm impacts significantly.

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Destination Trail Evacuates

Destination Trail evacuated about 70 runners and volunteers from the Moab 240 after flooding.
San Juan County Sheriff's Office moved participants to Moab headquarters using buses and an ATV shuttle.
Race officials canceled the Moab 240 because wind, rain, freezing temperatures and falling trees made conditions unsafe.
Remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel brought heavy rain and wind gusts up to 51 mph regionwide.

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