A series of expected storm systems is raising concern across Utah. Rain in lower elevations has the potential to cause rivers, creeks, and streams rise. Snow in higher elevations will add to this year’s abundant snowpack, which will soon start to melt with rising temperatures.

“With the storm we had last week, it filled our reservoirs,” said Jason Whipple, Washington County’s emergency services director. “So a couple of our reservoirs are overflowing.”

Parts of northern Utah experienced sheet flooding in recent weeks, as rain fell onto snow sitting on the ground.

“Obviously, here in northern Utah, we experienced those rainstorms and that snowmelt,” said Clint Mecham, Salt Lake County’s emergency management director. “That created sheet flooding in various neighborhoods.”

Many Utahns are on the lookout for two types of potential flooding. One type is simply caused by excess rainfall. The other is when the state’s snowpack starts to melt.

In Salt Lake County over the weekend, people were picking up free sandbags at the county’s public works garage in Midvale.

In southern Utah, recent rain proved deadly. Search and rescue teams had to save more than a dozen people in different events caused by rising water. Two people were killed in Buckskin Gulch.

“During the time when we’re flooding and we’re responding, stay away from those areas,” said Whipple. “It makes it hard to respond and it’s dangerous. So stay away from those areas and be responsible.”

Officials also say there are simple things you can do to prevent localized flooding in your own community.

“If you see that the storm drains in your community are blocked, maybe there’s leaves in there from last fall or something like that, clean those out and throw that debris up on the parkway strip,” said Mecham. “Make sure those storm drains are clear. That will help with some of the localized flooding events.”