Sur leur FacebookClosures Due to Flooding
Alert 1, Severity closure, Closures Due to Flooding
Due to major flooding on Thursday June 23, 2022, many park roads and trails are closed until further notice. Crews are working to clear debris. Some areas are still open to the public. Ask at the visitor center for details.
The Scenic Drive, Grand Wash, and Capitol Gorge all experienced large flash floods yesterday. These roads remain closed while crews work to clear debris and remove several vehicles that were swept away by flood waters. The Scenic Drive will reopen when it is safe to do so, there is no estimate at this time. Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge roads will likely be closed for several days at least.
Park staff with the assistance of Wayne County Sheriff's Office, Wayne County Search and Rescue, and the Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter were able to rescue all visitors that were stranded in Capitol Gorge and Grand Wash by approximately 10 pm last night. Fortunately, there were only minor injuries.
Monsoon season has started, thunderstorms can develop quickly causing dangerous flash floods. Always check the weather forecast and avoid canyon areas when storms threaten. Thunderstorms continue to be forecast through the weekend and more flash flooding could be likely.
NPS photo – One of the vehicles washed away by flood waters. The vehicle was parked and empty when it was swept down canyon.
