7 overtaken by flash flooding in Zion identified

The seven canyoneers were swept to their deaths late Monday afternoon during flooding that killed 12 people and left two others missing elsewhere in southern Utah, majority in the town of Hilldale on the Arizona border. Their unoccupied vehicles were located on Monday evening and a search began the morning of Tuesday, September 15, 2015 when it was determined that these individuals had not exited the canyon.

The names of the seven victims, who ranged in age from their mid-40s to mid-50s, were being kept confidential until next of kin were notified.

Within hours of entering Keyhole Canyon, dark skies unleashed fierce rains that sent water surging through the chasm, sweeping the group to their deaths Monday.

Family members say a group of seven hikers killed in a flash flood at Zion National Park were watching weather reports closely before heading into a narrow canyon where they got trapped during a torrential storm.

“The ranger who handed that permit to that man said, ‘I would not go today”.

“We’ll be having some meetings, some after-action reviews to make sure everything was done right and see if there is anything we can do better next time, but things are pretty much wrapping up now”, David Eaker, a spokesman for the park, said afterward. Some rappelling routes end in pools of water where canyoneers unhook their equipment and swim out. Luckily our group let them pass and all three of them survived.

Between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Zion Canyon received 0.63 inches of rain.

Joe Braun, a canyoneering guide who lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, visited Keyhole Canyon last week when the weather was calm.

“Ninety percent of Zion is wilderness”, Picard said.

The last of the bodies was recovered Thursday.

Zion Canyon flooding in December 2007.

In Hildale, Utah, a torrent carried two cars, filled with 13 children and three women, downstream from the town best known as home to a secluded polygamous community, the Associated Press reported.

“Our heartfelt sympathies go out to those affected by the flash flooding in Keyhole Canyon”, park superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh said in a statement.

Steve Arthur was a 21-year veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and was assigned to the Camarillo Police Department as the traffic supervisor.

In Hildale, Utah, on the sparsely populated border, crews were still searching for a 6-year-old boy missing since a wall of water swept away two cars packed with occupants on Monday, killing at least a dozen people.

Reilly described the sergeant as a “family man” who enjoyed spending time with his three adult children and seven grandchildren. “Hiking was her passion”, the family said. Ryan Daniel Mertlich, of Hurricane, Utah, was found about 7 miles south of the Utah line and 6 miles from where his heavily damaged vehicle was discovered in a flood plain, the Mohave County sheriff’s office said. It’s considered entry-level.

Favela’s family offered their thanks to those who supported them during the search.

Aside from one spot near the canyon’s entrance, “there really is no high ground”.

Adventure-seekers also get a rush from the combination of rock climbing, swimming, hiking and cave exploration, all in a setting totally different from the surrounding desert, Allen said.

However, rangers don’t actually close canyons until the NWS indicates flooding is imminent, Picard said, noting that during the late summer monsoons flood warnings are frequent but it is impossible to predict early where storms will hit or how hard.

She said visitors are asked, “Do you understand what the flash flooding potential is?”