For those unacquainted with the desert southwest, flash floods are quite remarkable. The slot canyons of Zion NP and the surrounding region heighten the hazard of tumultuous flooding.

The recent tragedy involves a deputy (and his wife) from my local county who was clearly no novice. What is odd is the timing of their trip- picking up their permits early in the morning, but not starting down the canyon until 3:30 PM. If nothing else, they were risking problems with darkness if any complications developed.

The most intricate SAR operation in my experience was a flash flood which plowed through a popular party/hang out spot (Tanque Verde Falls) in June, 1981. We were already responding a fairly routine fall incident when the flood occurred - not a cloud in sight. When we counted heads as people came out of the canyon, there were seven missing. We recovered one body that evening, and spent the rest of the week recovering the rest.

Sty out of narrow canyons when there is the possibility of rain, and be ready to spend the night - and count your lucky stars if that is all you do....