#UTAH ZION NATIONAL PARK FLASH FLOOD DRIVERS#

That evening, however, the park learned that Agnihotri, of Tucson, Arizona, had failed to return from her hike. In a press release, the park said it had staged “more than 20” rangers and rescuers with river rescue equipment to offer assistance, but that no hikers exiting the canyon had reported a member of their party missing by the end of the afternoon.

Responding rangers found that floodwaters had swept several hikers off their feet near the Temple of Sinawava at the end of the canyon, carrying one “several hundred yards” downstream in the Virgin River and injuring them others had taken refuge on high ground, where rescuers told them to remain until the waters receded. on Friday, August 19, the park received reports that a flash flood had struck the Narrows after a summer storm dropped an inch of rain on the park. In a press release, Zion officials said that she was located near the Court of the Patriarchs.Īround 2:15 p.m. Speaking to Utah’s KUTV, her brother Pujan Agnihotri said that searchers had discovered her remains on Monday evening. Jetal Agnihotri, 29, had gone missing last Friday. Jin this picture taken obtained from social media.Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!Ī hiker who went missing during a flash flood in Zion National Park’s Narrows has been found deceased, her family said Monday. Since many visitors to Zion also travel to other national parks in Utah, Rowland urged them to check the daily flooding potential for the parks in deciding when to visit each one.įlash flooding erupts after heavy rainfall in Zion National Park near Springdale, Utah, U.S. Southwest experiences monsoon season during the summer in which afternoon thunderstorms can bring heavy rain. “I just, pedal to the metal, get the heck out of there,” he recounted.

They were at the bottom of the lot and realized they needed to get to higher ground to avoid being trapped, Smith said. When the rain started, Stacy Cathey and her husband, Rodney Smith, of Atlanta, who were visiting the park with another couple, were in a van in a parking lot at the entrance Springdale, which they said filled up like a swimming pool within about 20 minutes, KSTU-TV reported. Shuttle buses were not running in neighboring Springdale, where debris was still being removed, she said.

#UTAH ZION NATIONAL PARK FLASH FLOOD DRIVERS#

Roads have been cleared in the park, allowing cars and park shuttles to get around but drivers were being asked to drive carefully and to go slowly around equipment, Rowland said. In 2015, seven hikers were killed there when a storm flooded a narrow canyon. Tuesday’s flash flood hit an area in the southern portion of the park with buildings, allowing people to take shelter from the water and the hidden debris, such as logs and rocks, it can often carry, park spokesperson Amanda Rowland said. SPRINGDALE, Utah (AP) - Zion National Park officials and business owners in a nearby tourist town were still cleaning up and assessing the damage Thursday from a massive flash flood that ripped through the popular red rock park, sending mud and debris onto streets.

Utah zion national park flash flood