On Thursday June 23rd, 2022, at approximately 12:18 p.m., Wayne County Sheriff’s Office was notified of flash flooding in Capitol Reef National Park that could potentially cause trouble on SR24.
There was active flooding in Grand Wash. Park rangers were on scene getting people out of the wash, and while doing so some of the park rangers got stranded in the flood but were able to get to high ground.
Wayne County Sheriff Dan Jensen responded to the park. He also contacted Search and Rescue Commander Rustin Grundy to come assist, along with search and rescue members.
Park rangers were unsure if people that were visiting the park had made it back to their vehicles and out of the flash flooding.
Richfield dispatch center was told to contact DPS Aero Bureau to see if they could fly to the scene and assist with getting people out of the flood and to safety, since there was an excessive number of visitors in the park, and the flooding was so severe.
Park service said there were no medical issues at the time, and the people were okay.
Sheriff Jensen responded to HWY24 in the Grand Wash area to determine road closures with U.D.O.T.
Meanwhile, U.D.O.T worked on clearing the roadways.
A jet fuel trailer was brought up from Hanksville to assist DPS with refueling.
SR24 was closed to clear debris. While that was happening, two more storm cells hit, causing more flooding.
Park Rangers tried to get into Capitol Gorge, but the road was washed out.
DPS helicopter was able to make contact with people that were stranded there. They were able to hoist them out and bring them to a parking area. There were approximately 60 people in that parking lot that almost had to spend the night; however, the park rangers worked diligently to clear the roads and make them passible.
Park rangers were able to find lodging and shuttle people out of the parking area to the surrounding motels. The only injuries reported were minor cuts and lacerations.
As of June 23rd, there were approximately 7-8 disabled vehicles in the flood areas. Road workers and rangers said they would work to get the vehicles out, conditions permitting.
Contact Wayne County Sheriff’s Office for further updates 435-836-1308.
– Kassidee Brown, Wayne County PIO