#Utah zion national park flash flood drivers

Jin this picture taken obtained from social media. Since many visitors to Zion also travel to other national parks in Utah, Rowland urged them to check the daily flooding potential for the parks in deciding when to visit each one.įlash flooding erupts after heavy rainfall in Zion National Park near Springdale, Utah, U.S. Southwest experiences monsoon season during the summer in which afternoon thunderstorms can bring heavy rain. “I just, pedal to the metal, get the heck out of there,” he recounted. They were at the bottom of the lot and realized they needed to get to higher ground to avoid being trapped, Smith said. When the rain started, Stacy Cathey and her husband, Rodney Smith, of Atlanta, who were visiting the park with another couple, were in a van in a parking lot at the entrance Springdale, which they said filled up like a swimming pool within about 20 minutes, KSTU-TV reported. Shuttle buses were not running in neighboring Springdale, where debris was still being removed, she said.

#Utah zion national park flash flood drivers

Roads have been cleared in the park, allowing cars and park shuttles to get around but drivers were being asked to drive carefully and to go slowly around equipment, Rowland said. In 2015, seven hikers were killed there when a storm flooded a narrow canyon. Tuesday’s flash flood hit an area in the southern portion of the park with buildings, allowing people to take shelter from the water and the hidden debris, such as logs and rocks, it can often carry, park spokesperson Amanda Rowland said. Additionally, he says park rangers are speaking with every group of visitors to ensure they are not missing anyone.Īs of Friday 6:25 p.m., Shafer says the park has not had any reports of missing hikers.SPRINGDALE, Utah (AP) - Zion National Park officials and business owners in a nearby tourist town were still cleaning up and assessing the damage Thursday from a massive flash flood that ripped through the popular red rock park, sending mud and debris onto streets. They had ropes and flotation devices incase anyone was in the water. Shafer says more than 20 members of the search and rescue team were deployed along the Virgin River.

The rangers instructed the hikers to remain in place.

Park rangers hiked up the trail and found several individuals who were on high ground, separated by high water. According to Shafer, the National Park Service closes the Narrows and the slot canyons at Zion National Park anytime a flash flood warning is issued. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m.

“The National Park Service immediately sent rangers to assess the situation, and began mobilizing additional resources for a large-scale response,” Shafer said to KSL NewsRadio. Lower and Upper Calf Creek Falls in Boulder, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. as rainstorms can quickly cause dangerous flash-flooding in slot canyons. of multiple people being swept off their feet by a flash flood in the Narrows. These are the 12 best waterfalls in Utah you can visit, with information on hikes and what to know about permits and tours. Check here for updates.Īccording to Jonathan Shafer, spokesperson with Zion National Park, park officials received word at 2:15 p.m. Zion National Park staff are managing a search and rescue operation on the Virgin River following a flash flood. Park shuttles are only moving visitors south on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.