Park visitors face flood danger out West while severe storms rip through NY, NJ
Flash flood warnings remain active across Utah and Colorado, disrupting vacations during peak travel. Parts of New York and New Jersey were also pummeled by relentless rain July 21.
Life-threatening flash flooding threatened both the East and West coasts Tuesday, as severe storms inundated parts of the Northeast while monsoon rains continued to drench the Southwest — prompting warnings across Utah and Colorado and disrupting travel.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flood watches for parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut on Tuesday, along with tornado watches covering portions of the region through the evening as strong thunderstorms moved through the area.
The NWS also issued a flood watch for much of southern and central Utah, warning of possible flash flooding in Zion National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and parts of Canyonlands.
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The weather service warned of "life-threatening flash flooding" and said excessive rainfall over the burn scar could trigger debris flows carrying "rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials."
"Excessive rainfall may result in flooding of slot canyons, normally dry washes, slick rock areas, recent burn scars including Forsyth, France Canyon, Cottonwood, Silver King, and Monroe Canyon, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations," the notice said. "Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas."
The National Park Service told Fox News Digital that flash floods can be "unpredictable and deadly, particularly in the West because of the arid environment that cannot rapidly absorb water."
It added, "The National Park Service wants visitors to have a memorable national park experience and get home safely and without injury. Visitor safety is our top priority, and we urge the public to stay aware of changing weather conditions."
As monsoon storms continued Monday, the NWS also issued multiple flash flood warnings across western Colorado, including one that urged residents and visitors to move away from the Turner Gulch burn scar.
Photos released by Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park on Friday show the aftermath of mudslides after heavy monsoon rains triggered flash flooding in the western Colorado park.
More than 20 day-trippers, campers and anglers were temporarily stranded at Gunnison National Park after mudslides blocked East Portal Road, officials added. No injuries were reported.
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Campers and hikers on forums dedicated to national parks have also been discussing the dangers of monsoon season in the Southwest.
On a forum dedicated to Zion National Park, one visitor who shared video of heavy rain at the park called it "one of the most beautiful and shocking displays of nature's power" they had ever seen.
Others stressed the dangers of hiking during monsoon season.
"Those flash flood alerts are no joke. We got caught in a slot canyon once and the water rose so freaking fast," one person wrote.
"Yeah, be careful with flash flooding out there when the rain comes," another added.
The ongoing flood threat comes after a Utah family's hiking trip turned deadly when flash floodwaters swept through the area.
According to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, the family arrived at the Sunglow Campground area, part of Fishlake National Forest near Bicknell, Utah, on Friday morning before setting out to hike and canyoneer.
Search crews later found the family's bodies after floodwaters swept through the area.
"It is believed the family fell victim to flooding caused by heavy rains," the sheriff’s office said.
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The victims were later identified as Provo Fire Capt. Spencer Long, his wife, Katrina, and their three sons, Reid, Thayne and Gage.
The couple's daughter, who was not on the trip, survived.
The U.S. Forest Service told Fox News Digital that it was "deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life resulting from the apparent flash flood near the Sunglow Campground area on the Fishlake National Forest."
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The safety of visitors and employees remains our highest priority," the agency said.
"We encourage everyone recreating on public lands to monitor current weather forecasts, heed flash flood warnings, and avoid entering narrow canyons, washes, or other flood-prone areas when storms are possible."
The campground sits in a red rock canyon near Capitol Reef National Park and is popular with hikers and canyoneers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.