Flash floods swept away hikers and prompted evacuations across the western United States on a weekend marked by torrential rains, the latest weather disaster to hit the region and its famous natural parks.
A woman was still missing on Monday after being swept away by a flood Friday in Utah’s Zion National Park, famous for its red rock cliffs and canyons.
The sudden rise in water also injured another hiker, dredged hundreds of meters, and blocked several others until rangers rescued them, said the agency dedicated to national parks, the NPS.
Some 200 visitors also had to be evacuated after being trapped for several hours by rising waters in the caves of Carlsbad National Park, New Mexico, without any injuries.
These flash floods took place after heavy rains in the southwestern United States, affected for more than twenty years by a persistent drought.
However, far from relieving the dry soil, “if the water pours out in a short interval of time, it flows” rather than “being really absorbed”, explained last week to AFP Chris Rasmussen, of the US Weather Services (NWS).
According to the NWS, northern Texas and parts of Mississippi could receive up to 18 centimeters of rain this week.
“Most of this rain will be beneficial and welcome compared to the ongoing drought […] but flash floods are still possible in urban settings and areas with poor drainage,” the NWS warned.
Flash flood warnings were issued Monday around Dallas in northern Texas.
“Turn back […] when you encounter flooded roads. Most flood-related deaths happen in vehicles,” the NWS recalled.
According to scientists, human activity, in particular the use of fossil fuels, has led to global warming, which has in turn contributed to making extreme weather events more frequent and violent.