5/16/2023 0 Comments Zion flash flood![]() Floods Can Start Even When There’s No Rain In August of 2016 and July of 2018, when two extreme instances of flash flooding occurred in Zion, the chance of rain was only between 20 and 30 percent. Some of the deadliest floods in recent years have occurred on days when the forecast for rain indicated a relatively low chance. They rarely expect that a flood could occur on an otherwise fair weather day. They expect dark, stormy days with plenty of downpours. One big mistake that many visitors make is assuming that they’ll know when a flood is likely. Flash Floods Happen When You Least Expect Them ![]() Hikes like The Narrows in Zion can become deadly in just a matter of minutes during a flash flood. They offer little in the way of escape, as the walls are sheer and the canyons are very narrow. In Zion, slot canyons are the most dangerous place to be during a flash flood. Most injuries and deaths that occur during flash floods are from blunt force trauma, rather than drowning. Even if the water is shallow enough for you to cross, the current and the debris is likely to knock you off your feet, sweeping you downstream. They are even capable of washing boulders downstream. The floodwaters pick up debris as they crash down hillsides and through canyons, including heavy tree trunks. But it isn’t just the water itself that’s dangerous. Unlike a river that slowly begins to flood, they occur with very little warning and swell to incredible depths in a matter of minutes. The Danger of Flash Floodsįlash floods are dangerous for a number of reasons. Given the rocky, hilly landscape of Zion, water rushes into channels, often with very little warning, trapping or washing away any visitors in the way. ![]() When large amounts of rain fall on a typically dry area, dry riverbeds fill and streams quickly swell as the ground can’t soak up the water fast enough. While water in the desert might sound like a positive thing as it brings a break to the heat, it carries with it a serious threat flash floods. The 2019 monsoon season is already underway. The season starts during the summer months when most visitors make their way to the parks. In fact, Zion and the surrounding region experience a monsoon season. But in reality, the region sees its share of precipitation. When most people think of southern Utah, they think of a dry, arid desert.
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