3 Dead, 4 Missing in Zion National Park After Flash Flooding

[ErikJ]

Source: AP

Heavy rain sent flash floods coursing through a narrow slot canyon in southern Utah's Zion National Park, killing three people and leaving four others missing, officials said Tuesday.

Three bodies were found a day after the group of four men and three women set out Monday to hike down the canyon, park spokeswoman Holly Baker said. They went canyoneering before park officials closed slot canyons that evening due to flood warnings.

The deaths come after 12 people died when fast-moving floodwaters on Monday swept away two vehicles near the Utah-Arizona border, about 20 miles south of the park. One person remains missing from the small polygamous town of Hildale, Utah.

In Zion, rescuers were waiting for water levels to drop before entering the canyon to search for the missing hikers.

The group hailed from California and Nevada and were all in their 40s and 50s, Baker said. She didn't have further details on their identities.

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Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/dead-missing-zion-national-park-flash-flooding-33783608

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Just last week 12 were killed in a flash flood not far from Zion NP. I was hiking in a shallow slot canyon in Zion just 3 weeks ago and the park had flash flood warnings out. But it was so beautiful I couldnt stop.

[Eriteo]

1. Horrifying

We never know when its our day.

[ErikJ]

2. Yes.

I remember reading this flash flood warning the park has in one of its brochures. And online. Scary. It was partly sunny when I was hiking the east canyon so I wasnt terribly worried.

Flash Floods
Flash floods, often caused by storms miles away, are a real danger and can be life threatening.

During a flash flood, the water level rises quickly, within minutes or even seconds.
A flash flood can rush down a canyon in a wall of water 12 feet high or more.

Know the weather and flash flood potential forecasts before starting your trip. If bad weather threatens, do not enter a narrow canyon.
Flash floods occur even during periods of low flash flood potential. When the National Weather Service states that there is a 30 percent chance of rain, they are not stating that there is a 30 percent chance that it will rain. They are stating that 30 percent of the forecast area will be affected by measurable precipitation. Continuously evaluate weather conditions. If bad weather threatens, avoid traveling in a slot canyon.
Watch for these indications of a possible flash flood:

• Any deterioration in weather conditions
• Build up of clouds or sounds of thunder
• Sudden changes in water clarity from clear to muddy
• Floating debris
• Rising water levels or stronger currents
• Increasing roar of water up canyon
If you observe any of these signs, seek higher ground immediately. Even climbing a few feet may save your life. Remain on high ground until conditions improve. Water levels usually drop within 24 hours. Flash floods do occur in the park during periods of low flash flood potential. A moderate or higher flash flood potential should be a serious cause for concern.

http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/narrowssafety.htm

[longship]

3. Zion is beautiful!

I visited there a few years ago. Also took in Brice that trip. And viewed some dinosaur footprints in the desert.

Great trip all around.

[hunter]

4. It's crazy gorgeous and tempting to hike these slot canyons...

... but you really have to pay attention to the weather, and even then, the weather forecasters don't always get it right.

It looks like a tsunami. All that stuff in the water can grind you up. Doesn't matter how well you can swim.

[Mendocino]

5. Zion Spring 2010

When I was there at that time, two guys managed to access the upper narrows by hiking in. They built a crude raft and attempted to float down the Virgin River at flood stage and cold water. They both drowned. Access to the Narrows is by permit only.

Next day a woman fell from Scouts Landing on the Angels Landing Trail, estimated drop of 900'.

On another trip to the area, we were hiking along a very small stream when the water rose slowly at first, then rapidly with lots of debris. Crawled up the canyon side, spent the next three hours watching the flood. Then it dropped, we waited another hour then got out of there. It was bright and sunny the whole time.

[kiri]

6. "Cause of Death": Hiker modesty.

As a ranger for three seasons back in 1980s, we lost 7 people--drowned, swept away. Because they refused to take off their back packs, refused to take off their pants/shirts as we shouted to them--which held them down. Mormon underwear is not helpful in floods.

We added a file for "Cause of Death": Hiker modesty.

File lasted for 2 years; after all, this is Zion! Nearer my god to thee.

[Mendocino]

11. As a ranger

I'm sure you've seen it all. I been camping, backpacking and canoeing for over 50 years and am still amazed at the lack of sense. People deep in the Grand Canyon wearing flip flops and a single 16 ounce water container. People still feeding bears, some putting maple syrup on their kids hands so they can get a good shot of the bear licking them off. Some idiots wading in the river just above Vernal Falls at Yosemite. Guys in the news lately taking selfies with rattlers wrapped around them and getting bit. The outdoors isn't Disneyland.

[GreenEyedLefty]

7. We hiked a slot canyon at Capitol Reef this summer.

When clouds started building we got the hell out of there.

It's terrifyingly beautiful there.

[Scuba]

8. Sobering. Planning a trip for spring; will take extreme caution.

[Codeine]

9. There are warnings all over the place in Zion

about flash floods in rainy conditions. People routinely ignore them.

[Kotya]

10. A news report yesterday

Said these hikers were warned in person by park rangers themselves.

Edit: Looks like this article said the same thing.