Chief of Staff to Governor Spencer J. Cox State of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Joined August 2012
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Jon S. Pierpont retweeted
💧 90 BILLION GALLONS OF WATER! That’s approximately how much water Lake Powell has gained with a 5-foot rise over the last few days!
One major October storm can make a HUGE difference. All that rain and runoff has given Lake Powell a significant boost, adding roughly 275,000 acre-feet of water.
But there’s another side to this story. The San Juan River is experiencing dangerous, potentially catastrophic flooding, with major impacts across southeastern Utah. That flooding is a serious threat to communities, roads and property.
At the same time, all that water moving through the San Juan River will continue flowing downstream toward Lake Powell, adding even more water to the reservoir as the runoff continues.
It’s a reminder of just how powerful these storms can be. We desperately need the water, but flooding like this comes with a devastating cost.
Lake Powell is still well below full pool, and we have a long way to go to recover from years of water shortages.
We’ll take every drop we can get, but first and foremost, we need everyone in the flooded areas to stay safe. 🙏
Jon S. Pierpont retweeted
Our kids and grandkids should be able to build their lives in Utah, with good jobs and homes they can afford.
Our trade mission to Ireland is bringing home ideas to help. In Galway, we saw how universities and businesses work together to get students into the workplace before graduation.
I want more Utah students to have those opportunities, starting with high school apprenticeships and earlier work experience in college.
Jon S. Pierpont retweeted
🌊Lake Powell water levels continue to rise from all of the heavy rain across the Four Corners. It is up over 10 feet (3529.4') from the yearly low (3519.1') with a lot more water moving towards Lake Powell as river flows remain very high. Still far from full pool (3700'). #utwx
Jon S. Pierpont retweeted
Please follow evacuation orders immediately and stay away from flooded roads and riverbanks.
Our emergency teams are actively coordinating with local partners to protect lives and support affected areas.
🚨🚨 URGENT: CATASTROPHIC FLOODING EXPECTED ALONG THE SAN JUAN RIVER — EVACUATIONS UNDERWAY
This is a potentially life-threatening situation across southeastern Utah. The National Weather Service has a FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM MDT TUESDAY, with catastrophic flooding expected along the San Juan River between Four Corners and Mexican Hat.
⚠️ THIS IS A FLOOD EMERGENCY.
The river is forecast to rise dramatically, with the crest expected around Aneth, Montezuma Creek and Bluff Sunday afternoon and evening.
📍 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
• The San Juan River near Bluff was at 19.6 feet at 9:30 AM Sunday.
• Flood stage is 23 feet.
• The river is forecast to crest at 43.6 FEET early Monday morning.
• For perspective, the previous record crest was 32 feet in September 1927. The current forecast would exceed that historic level by more than 11 feet.
Communities at risk include Bluff, Montezuma Creek, Aneth, Mexican Hat, Halchita and Tselakai Dezza.
🚧 ROAD CLOSURES AND EVACUATIONS
The Navajo Department of Emergency Management reports that rising river levels are creating dangerous road conditions, and emergency crews are working to evacuate residents.
Current closures include:
* Highway 162 east of Montezuma Creek
* Aneth Bridge (Texaco Road/Philips Camp Road Bridge) at Milepost 22, westbound
* Navajo Route 35 south of Montezuma Creek
* An additional closure west of Montezuma Creek may follow a bridge evaluation
🚫 NO DRONES: Drone flights are prohibited over or around the impacted areas because they can interfere with emergency operations.
‼️ PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.
* Follow evacuation orders immediately.
* Stay off the roads unless travel is essential.
* Never drive or walk through floodwater.
* Stay away from riverbanks and flooded bridges.
* Keep roads clear for emergency responders.
Even without additional rainfall expected, this flood wave will continue moving downstream, and dangerous conditions will persist.
A river crest of 43.6 feet would be extraordinary and potentially devastating for communities along the San Juan River. Please share this post to help get the word out.
Source: National Weather Service Grand Junction and Navajo Department of Emergency Management.
Jon S. Pierpont retweeted
A Utah tradition with an important purpose. Riders and @UtahStateParks staff gathered bison on Antelope Island today for the annual Bison Roundup.
The roundup helps staff manage the herd, protect native rangeland from overgrazing, and keep the bison healthy. After time in the corrals, the animals receive health checks and vaccinations.
Thank you to the staff, riders, and volunteers who help care for this remarkable part of Utah.
Jon S. Pierpont retweeted
Utah companies like Merit Medical, Qualtrics, and Ancestry already have a strong presence in Ireland.
Our trade mission is helping Utah businesses find new customers and partners in Europe, creating opportunities that support jobs back home.
Jon S. Pierpont retweeted
💧 WHAT A START TO THE WATER YEAR!
We’re only 24 days into the new water year, which began October 1, and Utah’s statewide precipitation is already approaching record-high territory for this point in the season!
The latest data shows statewide precipitation sitting near 295% of the median. That’s nearly THREE TIMES what we typically see by this date. 🤯
After a long, hot summer and concerns about drought and water supply, this October storm pattern has delivered some much-needed moisture across Utah.
One important reminder: A wet start doesn’t erase our long-term water challenges. We still have a long way to go, and how the rest of the water year unfolds will be critical for our snowpack, reservoirs and water supply heading into next summer.
But there’s no question — this is an incredible start to the new water year! 💦
Jon S. Pierpont retweeted
Abby and I had the pleasure of meeting with Mayor Joe Killeen of County Clare, Ireland.
Clare was recently named the European Volunteering Capital for 2027, and Utah leads the nation in volunteer participation. We share a strong commitment to serving our neighbors and building stronger communities.
Thank you, Mayor Killeen, for the warm welcome!
Jon S. Pierpont retweeted
🌧️ INCREDIBLE! 🤯 UTAH HAS BEEN SOAKED!
Parts of Utah received what could amount to 3-4 months’ worth of rain in just THREE DAYS! 😳💦
Rain totals over the last 72 hours are staggering, with Monticello seeing 4.58 inches and Blanding recording 4.37 inches!
That is an incredible amount of rain in such a short time! 🌧️ Nature is putting on a show, and these totals are a reminder of just how powerful our weather can be.
Jon S. Pierpont retweeted
Lake Powell has risen nearly 3 FEET in just TWO DAYS! That’s an incredible response to one October storm. 👀
All that rain across Utah is making a difference, with runoff from the watershed helping push the lake level higher.
But here’s the reality: Lake Powell is still about 176 feet below full pool and needs roughly 18 million more acre-feet of water to fill.
This recent rise is encouraging, but we’re still a long way from recovery. Years of drought and below-average inflows have left a significant deficit, and one storm can’t make up for that.
The big factor now will be this winter’s snowpack and how much water makes it into the Colorado River during spring runoff. We need sustained, above-average inflows to make a meaningful dent in the deficit.
Every bit helps, but we still have a long way to go. 💧
Jon S. Pierpont retweeted
The Salt Lake Chamber is proud to recognize Abby Osborne as a 2026 Pathfinder Award recipient!
Pathfinders use their influence and passion to help others succeed—and Abby does exactly that. Join us in celebrating her leadership at the 50th Annual Women & Business Conference.
Register today and be part of the celebration:
tinyurl.com/2fwd47pb
#WomenandBusiness #Momentum #Leadership #ATHENASLC
Jon S. Pierpont retweeted
Utah and Galway have strong ties in the medical technology industry, and we saw those connections firsthand on our trade mission to Ireland.
We visited Utah-based Merit Medical, which is celebrating 30 years in Galway and now employs more than 1,000 people here. We also stopped at Medtronic, whose work includes medical technology developed by Salt Lake City-based Scientia Vascular to help treat strokes and aneurysms.
Both companies are helping bring Utah-developed medical technologies to patients around the world. We’re here to strengthen those connections and create more opportunities for Utah businesses.
Jon S. Pierpont retweeted
There’s a lot happening at the University of Galway that fits with what we’re building in Utah.
Our state delegation met with university President David Burn, Dr. Laoise McNamara, and their colleagues to explore how our universities and life sciences companies can work more closely together. We see opportunities for joint research and student and faculty exchanges that could open new doors for Utah students, researchers, and businesses.
Thank you @uniofgalway for welcoming our Utah delegation.
Jon S. Pierpont retweeted
We are closely monitoring the flash flooding in Hurricane. Our hearts are with the families whose homes and livelihoods have been impacted.
Please follow all evacuation orders and local emergency guidance. We’re grateful to the first responders working to keep Utahns safe.
🚨 BREAKING: MAJOR FLASH FLOODING IN HURRICANE, UTAH
A dangerous flood wave surged through Hurricane today, forcing evacuations along Gould Wash as fast-moving water threatened homes and RVs.
Officials ordered residents near Gould Wash and the WillowWind RV Park to evacuate immediately as flash flooding moved downstream through the city. Power was also shut off to several townhome communities and the RV park.
More than 100 homes and RVs have reportedly been damaged, and an emergency has been declared in Hurricane.
Video: Brian Nagler