A state park, gorgeous rivers, woodlands, and vast tracts of Bureau of Acreage Management land surround the town of Moab. In the late summer of 2022, the area experienced an unusual amount of rain, leading to flash floods. The American Southwest has experienced an especially wet monsoon season this year. There have been some remarkable flash floods as a result. Businesses and homeowners in Moab are putting the pieces back together after a “hundred-year flood” on August 20. Following the flood, Mill Creek in the area is once again calm, but a thick layer of muck and dust coats the streets of Moab. That evening shortly after 7 p.m., about an inch and a half of rain fell for about 20 minutes. Social media videos show vehicles floating down the main street of the city. The water there was up to 3 feet deep, according to Lisa Church, a city representative. Near Arches National Park, the flood created a reddish-brown waterfall that left visitors speechless. The water poured over the cliffs and cascaded down the rocky terrain. A video shows just how breathtaking the rushing water appeared.
A Flood for the Ages
A comment from a Moab resident reads, “I’ve lived in Utah my entire life 67 years so far and never once had the opportunity to see the magic of waterfalls like this up close. It’s truly a beautiful sight. To me, it’s like the Garden of Eden.” The same flash flood caused numerous visitors to be taken aback at Utah’s Zion National Park’s Narrows, a well-known slot canyon that runs between rocks that are 2,000 feet high. At least one hiker suffered injuries and was carried hundreds of yards downstream before park officials could save him and take him to a nearby hospital. Before being evacuated, some people were able to wait out the storm on high ground. After the August flooding along Mill Creek, which drove water and debris down Main Street, Annie McVay, the director of Moab’s parks, recreation, and trails, said that municipal employees and volunteers had been working hard to ensure that people could return and enjoy the area. Take a look at the shocking video below that showcases just how strong a flash flood can be!
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