Utah declares state of emergency over crop losses

On Friday, May 15th, Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox signed an executive order declaring a 30-day state of emergency in the counties of Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Iron, Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Utah, and Weber. 

Growers in the affected areas have reported staggering crop losses due to severe weather disruptions across the state, especially two cold snaps at the beginning and middle of April. The events, which brought over eight hours of temperatures below 26 degrees Fahrenheit, greatly impacted Utah growers in multiple categories, including apricots, sweet and tart cherries, plums, peaches, pears, and apples, with losses ranging from 95 to 100 percent. 

“Conditions this year have already deeply affected agricultural producers here in Utah,” Gov. Cox said in a press statement. “Due to an unexpected freeze in April following unseasonably warm conditions, many are facing devastating crop losses. This is the time in the season when emergency resources have the best chance to make a real difference in our farmers’ ability to survive and recover.”

The executive order was effective immediately, giving producers access to aid programs under the Disaster Response and Recovery Act.

Utah's perfect storm

Several US states are currently dealing with the impacts of abnormal weather on crops, and Utah is no exception. In this case, however, the difficulties have been brewing since late 2025, when record-low snowpack levels were recorded at the beginning of the season due to unusually high temperatures. 

For Utah, this is a major problem, as 95 percent of the state's water supply is tied to accumulated snowpack, according to local news outlet KSL.com. As a result, says the outlet, 90 percent of the state is suffering from drought, with reservoirs at 72 percent capacity and expected to last until the next snow season in October. 

But water scarcity is only an underlying condition compounding further weather woes.

Just as it happened in California, Utah experienced higher-than-usual temperatures at the beginning of spring, which pushed state tree crops into early bloom. Unfortunately, two late winter freeze episodes, on the first and third weeks of April, severely damaged the delicate flowers, impeding the growth of fruit in the coming weeks. 

*All images are referential. 

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