Severe thunderstorms in Utah on Friday night left 20 people stranded in a popular canyon due to flash flooding, prompting a six-hour rescue mission.
According to a Facebook post by Grand County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, the agency initially responded to a call for three people who had been trapped by rising waters in Grandstaff Canyon near Moab. Rescue crews hiked up the canyon until they were stopped by water and were able to establish voice contact with the group.
At the same time, they noticed lights further up the canyon and set an investigation in motion.
"A drone with thermal capabilities was launched from the parking area and confirmed that there were 17 additional people trapped by the flood," writes the sheriff's office.
The stranded party reported that they were cold and wet and were concerned about hypothermia. It took another 4.5 hours for the floodwaters to recede enough for crews to safely cross the creek and reach the hikers. They were then able to help them out on foot using a handline.
"Many of the hikers were without any source of light," notes the agency, which says the operation lasted well into the night.
Staying safe in flash floods
The event prompted GCSSAR to issue the following advice for anyone intending to enter a canyon:
- Always check the weather forecast before your adventure.
- If there is rain, especially thunderstorms, in the forecast, do not enter canyons, washes or streambeds.
- Bring extra water, snacks, layers, a headlamp or flashlight and an emergency satellite messaging device (such as a Garmin InReach).
- Please remember that entering flood waters is a dangerous risk for everyone, rescuers included.
You can learn more about the dangers of flash floods, and how to stay safe, in our article on what makes flash floods so dangerous.
The Grandstaff Canyon Trail north of Moab is a two-mile trail on BLM land that leads to Morning Glory Natural Bridge, a natural rock arch which has a span of 243 feet, and is one of the longest in the United States.
