Flash flooding hits southern Utah national parks, closing roads

Extreme levels of flood danger were announced in Utah National Park, with 60 rescued by helicopter.

Search and rescue crews evacuated about 60 people by helicopter Thursday as flash flooding emptied Capital Reef National Park in southern Utah, washing out roads and a popular outdoor destination for rocks and valleys made of red rock. But both visitors and park rangers were trapped.

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A spokesman for Wayne County, Utah, told KSL that there were no casualties and that the visitors suffered only minor injuries. The floods damaged seven or eight vehicles.

Thunderstorm waterfall, Capitol Reef, June 23, 2022. @KSL5TV @KSL_Matt @utwxSocial @kslweather @kvandykewx pic.twitter.com/9uADxMla0b

— Mike McPharlin (@Papa_Michael_J) June 23, 2022

Monsoon storms in the southwest have flooded or closed roads throughout southern Utah, and before the evacuation, the National Weather Service issued a warning to the area on Thursday. However, Wayne County spokeswoman Cassidy Brown told the media outlet that the park still hosts “maximum” visitors.