3 dead, 4 missing in Zion National Park after flash flooding

Their vehicle was found unoccupied, and a search effort began Tuesday morning, although continued rain made it difficult for crews to reach the higher technical parts of the canyon, Baltrus said.

The raging torrents are not uncommon in an area prone to flash floods, but the volume and pace of Monday’s rain was a “100-year event”, said Brian McInerney, hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City. Authorities say several people have died in flash flooding that swept away vehicles on the Utah-Arizona border.

The 6-year-old boy vanished in the small town of Hildale along the Utah-Arizona border. The creek that separates Hildale from Colorado City quickly filled leaving the water to flow into the streets and wash several vehicles into the waterways.

In 2010, two men who had reportedly intended to build a log raft and float down the Virgin River were found dead downstream. “The children have not yet been identified by Hildale community leaders or police”.

Gov. Gary Herbert released a statement sending his sympathies and promising aide.

Ventura County sheriff’s Capt. John Reilly said Wednesday that 58-year-old Sgt. The Governor’s Office and the Dept. of Public Safety are in close communication with local government and public safety officials in the affected area.

Superintendent Bradybaugh noted that “Our focus is upon the victim’s families, to support them at this difficult time with compassion and respect”. “I offer my thanks to first responders, volunteers and other officials involved in the recovery effort”.

“Yesterday afternoon we had significant rainstorms through the community”, Philip said.

The bodies of two additional individuals were located Wednesday, bringing the total number of confirmed fatalities in this incident to six. Three children survived. The search resumed Wednesday for the lone missing child, a 6-year-old.

“Today’s tragedy also serves as a reminder to residents and those visiting our state to take appropriate precautions and be aware of the factors that contribute to dangerous flash floods”. Picard said the canyon would remain closed until searchers have a chance to go through it.

“We are still watching weather cells for the potential of further flooding”.

More information will become available as the search continues.

Authorities are searching for other hikers killed in flash flooding that swept through a narrow canyon at Utah’s Zion National Park.

Six of the canyoneers caught in a flash flood in Keyhole Canyon are confirmed dead with one member of the group still missing.

Zion National Park officials say rescuers found the last of seven hikers killed in flash flooding after dropping into rugged, previously unreachable terrain near the narrow canyon where the group was last seen.

Authorities are not presently releasing the names of the victims.

Keyhole Canyon has a reputation as one of the park’s best for beginners, typically taking only a couple of hours to complete and with two places where people can get out if they do not want to stay in the canyon.

The same flash floods claimed at least four lives in nearby Zion National Park. Because of the weather, Keyhole Canyon was still inaccessible to Search and Rescue crews, but they were able to follow its course and glimpse in it at several locations.