Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanski is warning residents to keep children away from the city's retention basins and storm drains, which remain full of contaminated, fast-moving water after flooding on Thursday, Aug. 13.

"As a special warning, do not play in the storm drains," Zoltanski said in a social media post that day. "The water may be contaminated! Please keep your kids from playing in the water."

Sandy city officials identified two distinct hazards in the basins and drains: stormwater contamination that poses a health risk, and swift currents that could pull someone under. Sandy City's official Instagram account reinforced the message with a graphic reading "WARNING: DO NOT SWIM IN RETENTION BASINS," adding that stormwater "may look like a pool, but it's a health hazard."

The warning follows what Zoltanski called a "hundred-year storm" in remarks reported by KUTV that overwhelmed Sandy's drainage infrastructure. The city's pipes were not built to handle that volume of rainfall at once, she said, and no city infrastructure is designed for a storm of that magnitude.

The damage was widespread. The flooding popped manhole covers, stranded motorists, broke windows and filled basements across Sandy. Nearly two miles of 1300 East closed for several hours between 9400 South and 10600 South after four or five cars became trapped in hip-deep water near 10600 South, according to ABC4.

"This was a huge, fast storm and Sandy was apparently right in the heart of it," Zoltanski told ABC4 on Aug. 14, describing the scope of the damage.

The retention pond warning remains active as additional thunderstorms are forecast through the weekend and into next week, keeping basins full. Sandy City posted a separate "Turn Around, Don't Drown" alert on Aug. 13 urging drivers to avoid flooded roadways.

Sandbags are available at Sandy Public Works, 9150 South 150 East. Residents with non-emergency storm concerns can call Sandy City Police at 801-568-7200. For emergencies, call 911. Flood cleanup resources are posted at sandy.utah.gov.