Flood — Kane, Utah

2023-03-13 to 2023-03-15 · near Adairville, Kane, Utah

Event narrative

A group of hikers went on a three day trip to Buckskin Gulch and were set to return Sunday night. Family members reported them missing Monday morning when they did not return as scheduled. A search began shortly thereafter and one of the hikers was found alive Monday evening and was taken to a hospital via helicopter. The search broke off early Tuesday morning but resumed during the day Tuesday. On Tuesday evening the body of one of the other hikers was found and the third was found Wednesday afternoon. While the search was being conducted for this group of hikers, two other groups of hikers also signaled for help, bringing the total of people rescued from Buckskin Gulch to 11. The conditions were found to be treacherous in the canyon due to high water from snowmelt that has accumulated in the canyon. Given the narrow nature of the canyon in places, it takes a relatively small amount of accumulation of water to make the canyon impassable. Additionally, the location of the canyon allows water to flow into it from the south (from Arizona) as well as from the north (with origins in the vicinity of Bryce Canyon). Recent heavy rains from the ongoing atmospheric river event also hampered rescue efforts.

Wider weather episode

Another winter storm brought gusty winds and accumulating snow to much of Utah in the middle of March. Precipitation combined with snowmelt also resulted in flooding, mostly in southern Utah, including noted fatalities in a popular slot canyon.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.0138, -111.9928)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1088848. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.