Deadly monsoons and flash floods disrupt travel in Utah, NY and NJ
Texas residents face life-threatening flooding after severe storms
Fox Weather correspondent Robert Ray covers life-threatening flash floods live from Uvalde, Texas. The Guadalupe River rose 115 feet, triggering widespread emergencies and evacuations. More than half a meter of rain fell in 72 hours, making Uvalde impassable. Texas A&M Task Force Search and Rescue teams remain active as Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency in 59 counties.
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Life-threatening flash floods threatened both the East and West coasts Tuesday as severe storms inundated parts of the Northeast and monsoon rains continued to soak the Southwest, prompting warnings in Utah and Colorado and disrupting travel.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flood watches for parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut on Tuesday; Tornado watches were also issued covering parts of the region throughout the evening as strong storms moved through the area.
The NWS also issued a flood watch for much of southern and central Utah, warning of possible flash flooding in parts of Zion National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Canyonlands.
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The weather service warned of “life-threatening flash flooding” and said heavy rainfall on the burn scar could trigger debris flows carrying “rocks, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.”
“Excessive rainfall can cause flooding of slot canyons, normally dry waters, slippery rock areas, recent burn scars including Forsyth, France Canyon, Cottonwood, Silver King and Monroe Canyon, and other low-lying and flood-prone areas,” the statement said. “Poor drainage and flooding in urban areas may occur.”
Heavy monsoon rains triggered flash floods and landslides in Black Canyon in Gunnison National Park, leaving more than 20 visitors temporarily stranded. (Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park via Facebook)
The National Park Service told Fox News Digital that flash floods can be “unpredictable and deadly, especially in the West, due to the arid environment that cannot absorb water quickly.”
“The National Park Service wants visitors to have an unforgettable national park experience and return home safe and uninjured. Visitor safety is our priority and we urge the public to be aware of changing weather conditions,” the statement said.
As monsoon storms continued Monday, the NWS also issued multiple flash flood warnings in Western Colorado; one of which encouraged residents and visitors to move away from the Turner Gulch burn scar.
“These flash flood warnings are no joke.”
Photos released Friday by Black Canyon in Gunnison National Park show the results of landslides that occurred after heavy monsoon rains triggered flash flooding in the western Colorado park.
More than 20 day trippers, campers and fishermen were temporarily stranded in Gunnison National Park after mudslides closed East Portal Road, officials added. No injuries were reported.
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In forums devoted to national parks, campers and hikers also discuss the dangers of monsoon season in the Southwest.
On a forum dedicated to Zion National Park, a visitor who shared video of heavy rain in the park called it “one of the most beautiful and shocking demonstrations of the power of nature they have ever seen.”
Landslides closed East Portal Road in Gunnison National Park’s Black Canyon after heavy monsoon rains caused flash flooding, officials said. (Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park via Facebook)
Others highlighted the dangers of trekking during monsoons.
One person wrote: “These flash flood warnings are no joke. We were in a slot canyon once and the water rose so fast.”
“Yes, be careful of flash floods when it rains,” another added.
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The ongoing threat of flooding comes after a Utah family’s hiking trip turned deadly when flash floodwaters swept through the area.
According to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, the family arrived at the Sunglow Campground area, part of the Fishlake National Forest near Bicknell, Utah, on Friday morning before heading out for hiking and canyoning.
Authorities say five members of a Utah family, including Provo Fire Capt. Spencer Long (pictured), died when floodwaters swept through a popular hiking and canyoning area. (Bernie Friel/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images; Brett Borget/Provo Fire & Rescue via AP)
Search teams later found the family’s bodies after flood waters swept through the area.
“The family is believed to have been flooded due to heavy rains,” the sheriff’s office said.
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The victims were later identified as Provo Fire Capt. Spencer Long, his wife, Katrina, and their three sons, Reid, Thayne and Gage.
The couple’s daughter, who was not on the journey, survived.
Sunglow Campground is located in the Fishlake National Forest, pictured above. (iStock)
The U.S. Forest Service told Fox News Digital it was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life resulting from flash flooding near Sunglow Campground in the Fishlake National Forest.”
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“The safety of visitors and employees remains our top priority,” the agency said.
“We encourage anyone who enjoys recreation on public lands to monitor current weather forecasts, heed flash flood warnings and avoid entering these lands.” narrow canyonswashes or other flood-prone areas where storms are possible.”
The campground is located in a red rock canyon near Capitol Reef National Park and is popular with hikers and canyon enthusiasts.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
