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Flash Flood in Washington County, Utah

Flash Flood September 14, 2015 · Washington County, Utah

7
Deaths

Where the report was made, with tornadoes recorded within 15 miles over the years.

What the National Weather Service wrote

Multiple rounds of heavy rainfall brought flash flooding to Zion National Park, including along North Creek, but the most notable flood occurred in Keyhole Canyon. A group of seven people entered Keyhole Canyon in the early afternoon, planning to travel through the small but popular canyoneering route. Flooding in Keyhole Canyon occurred quickly; no one in the group was able to escape the canyon or get to higher ground, and the flood killed all seven individuals. The seven victims were between 51 and 59 years old.

The wider storm

Multiple strong thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall moved through southwest Utah on September 14, creating significant flash flooding in Hildale, Utah and Zion National Park. These two flash flood events combined to produce the deadliest natural disaster in Utah history, with 20 fatalities in the state of Utah, and a 21st just south of the border in Arizona.

Began near Zion Lodge (37.2315, -112.8708).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 603178. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.

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