Donations for Santa Clara flood relief now being accepted

SANTA CLARA, Washington Co. — An account has been established to provide relief for residents and businesses affected by the Sept. 11 flood, city officials reported Wednesday.

Donations can be made at the State Bank of Southern Utah into an account called the "Santa Clara Flood Relief Fund 2012."

A breach in a retention basin caused a surge of water to flow into a Santa Clara neighborhood Tuesday, resulting in flood damage to 31 homes and a dozen businesses, forcing residents to evacuate.

The dike, categorized as a high-risk dam once homes and businesses were built below it, was scheduled to be rebuilt before it spilled over Tuesday, said Ron Whitehead, Washington County public works director. The basin originally was built to protect the nearby highway, but expansion gradually surrounded it with structures.

"As the city recovers from this event, this is a time for the community to pull together and help those in need," city officials said in a statement Wednesday. "Volunteers have done tremendous work in the cleanup efforts. The city thanks them for the love and support they have shown their neighbors."