4 still missing after deadly Utah border floods

Some 20 miles to the north at Zion National Park, the same storm system sent flash floods coursing through a narrow slot canyon, killing four people and leaving three others missing.

Authorities have confirmed at least nine people have died in flash flooding that swept away two vehicles in Hildale, Utah, a town on the Utah-Arizona border.

Flash floods are not uncommon in the area, but the volume and pace of Monday’s rain was a “100-year event” in Hildale, said Brian McInerney, hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City.

“My deepest condolences are with the victims and loved ones of those killed in flash flooding along the Arizona-Utah border last night”, he said in a statement, thanking law enforcement and search-and-rescue crews for their quick action. Three child survivors were found, one of whom was taken to Dixie Regional Medical Center for undisclosed treatment, but Barlow said he had been informed the child was released from the hospital by noon Tuesday.

The floods occurred following heavy rains in the canyons just north of Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale.

The group was canyoneering in Keyhole Canyon when storms dropped more than a half-inch of rain in an hour and Monday caused floods, the park service said.

What they did not know was that a flash flood was brewing in the canyon above, he said.

ZION NATIONAL PARK, Utah (AP) – Zion National Park rangers regularly warn hikers that flash flooding during monsoon season can turn southern Utah’s lovely canyons into deadly channels of fast-moving water and debris.

Hildale is located around 500 kilometres south of Salt Lake City.

Three adults were in the group, the others will children.

“We’re very well aware of that issue there”, he said.

Most of the people who live in the community are members of the Warren Jeffs polygamist sect known as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (FLDS). Their vehicle was found at a trailhead on Monday evening in the Keyhole Canyon area and a search was undertaken on Tuesday morning.

“Eight children, ages ranging from 11-to-5 years old (were killed)”, said Mayor Philip Barlow.

“We’ve got quite an effort going on”, he said. But on Tuesday afternoon, he was waiting for official confirmation.

The outpouring of kindness may also ease some of the distrust the normally insular community, which practices polygamy as part of its predominant religious beliefs, has with outsiders, he said. “Reeling right now”, Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox said on Twitter.

Andrew Chatwin, a Hildale resident, said the community was devastated by the news of fatalities. We were hoping there was someone inside who was still alive.