Flash flooding closes Zion National Park canyons

Flooded roads near Utah's Zion National Park on June 29, 2021. Photo: UDOT Region Four

HILDALE, Utah. — Zion National Park had closed its canyons because of flash flooding in southern Utah, Tuesday afternoon. After heavy rain and flash flooding, crews are working to re-open the roads in the park. According to the National Weather Service, the Flash Flood rating for Zion National Park for Wednesday, June 30 is probable.

Zion National Park officials released a statement, “due to the flash flooding and an active technical Search and Rescue operation, SR-9 [State Road 9] in the park is closed to inbound traffic. Currently, traffic in the park is being diverted outbound at both the South and East Entrances. Park staff are actively working to remove debris from the roads. Please avoid this area.”

Zion National Park reopened with modified operations Wednesday after a flash flood swept through portions of southern Utah.

Visitors should expect traffic delays, debris on roads, and potential closures of trails and parking areas as clean-up continues and damage is being assessed.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Hildale, Utah, Zion National Park, and other areas near the Utah-Arizona border. Park officials also closed access to The Narrows, the tightest section of the canyon, until further notice.

Hildale Mayor Donia Jessop said a large flood did come through the town and a few basements were flooded but added that mitigation efforts have been successful so far.

Another flash flood in Hildale washed away several cars in 2015, killing at least a dozen people. The same storm killed seven hikers who drowned in a narrow canyon in Zion National Park and a man from nearby Hurricane, Utah.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by KSL 5 TV (@kslnews)