‘Change your plans’ — Flash flooding potential rating increased to expected in some recreation areas in southern Utah

ZION NATIONAL PARK, Utah (ABC4) — As areas throughout southern Utah are bracing for potential flash flooding on Friday and this weekend, experts are warning anyone planning to travel to recreation areas like Zion National Park to change their plans.

“I would strongly recommend that you reconsider your plans for this weekend,” Genevieve Keyes with the Division of Emergency Management advised anyone planning to visit slot canyons and other low-lying areas this weekend.

According to ABC4’s 4Warn Weather Team, Tropical Storm Priscilla is pushing moisture north into Utah, bringing rain, and the wettest period is expected to be Friday through Saturday. Flood watches have been issued for central, southern, and eastern Utah.

The National Weather Service has upgraded their flash flooding potential rating for Friday from probable to expected for some recreation areas in Southern Utah, including Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Grain Staircase-Escalante East and West, Snow Canyon/Red Cliffs, and Zion National Park.

This means that many slot canyons, dry washes, and small streams in these areas are expected to experience flash flooding on Friday.

Lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service Salt Lake City Mike Seaman said to avoid these areas this weekend. “Definitely not the weekend to be out there in that.”

Jenn, who is visiting Zion from New York, told ABC4 that she saw the warnings for possible floods. “We kept looking up, looking for bad weather, but then we met a guy in the Narrows, and he said that you can’t always rely on looking up. The weather could come from way far away, so we kind of knew we had a time frame to get back.”

Southern Utah is expecting rainfall of 1-3 inches. “That will result in all of the drainages from small slot canyons to large rivers flowing very high and fast…” Seaman said. “With that heavy rain, some of those back country roads like Hole in the Rock Road, Cuddapah near Zion will become very wet and potentially impassable at times.”

“We’re basically telling people to treat this as a very wet weekend and change your plans and stay out of some of those areas,” Seaman added.

Genevieve Keyes said that recreation areas in Southern Utah are particularly dangerous with flash flooding. “Those kinds of steeper elevations cause the water to funnel and move very quickly. In addition to a rainstorm, really, really far away can cause a flash flood in a slot canyon, and you might not know to hear it or see it that your life is in danger,” she said.

Another factor in these floods is burn scars from wildfires. “The burn scars mean that there’s no plants to slow the flow of the water. In addition to that, we can have things like a debris flow as a result of these burn scars.”

Keyes also gave some tips for preparing for floods. Before the storm, you need to make sure that your gutters are clear and check your storm drains.

“One of the most important things that I can’t stress enough is to have a plan,” Keyes said. “You need to know how you’re going to get to higher ground, not just where the higher ground is, and make sure you communicate with your loved ones.”

She also advised to have emergency alerts enabled on your phone, to have an emergency kit, and to keep a weather radio.

If you are out in the canyons and you see a flooded road, Keyes said to follow the age-old mantra: “Turn around, don’t drown.” Stay out of flooded areas, both on foot and in your car.

Your 4Warn Weather forecast will have the latest updates on weather conditions and flooding, online and on-air.