Flash floods. It’s safe to say that one of the most nervous moments I’ve ever had, was getting caught in flash flood several years ago. It was terrifying, and I was lucky to make it out. Even though I was prepared and knew the signs of a flash flood, it happened so fast that I hardly had any time to react. Here are some tips that I live by so that I am safe and prepared in the case of a flash flood. Commit to memory these tips, they could save your life!
Slickrock covers many of the trails in the southwestern United States. Slickrock is sandstone that has the feel of sand paper when dry, however, it can become slick when wet. With that being said, heavy rains from desert thunderstorms run right off the slickrock and rapidly drain into canyons. While flash floods can occur anywhere in the United States, they are most common in the Southwest. Flash floods can occur at any time in the Southwest, but are most prevalent between late June to mid September. They can strike quickly and without warning. Realize that entering any narrow canyon presents a flash flood danger. Between June and August, I avoid all slot canyon hikes and instead spend that time up in the mountains. By entering these canyons at anytime during the year, you are being exposed to potential hazards from flash flooding. They are one of the leading weather-related causes of death in the United States each year.
During flash floods the water level can increase almost instantly. What was a dry creek an hour ago can in minutes be a raging torrent carrying entire trees and large rocks. Buckskin Gulch is an example of a long, narrow slot canyon where rains up to one hundred miles away can cause flooding. When hiking in Buckskin, you can see entire trees wedged against the narrow canyon walls over 75 feet in the air. They were deposited there by an earlier flash flood. That’s right, the water was over 75 feet deep! If caught in a flash flood you may only have seconds to react. Look and listen for these things if you want to have a chance to survive:
Flash floods can occur without warning. Be prepared when in dry desert river washes. PC – David Evenson
Always pay attention to the weather report the day you go hiking. Summer thunderstorms up to one hundred miles away from you can trigger flash floods in your area. So, even though the sky above you is clear, there could be a flash flood coming. Be sure to take note as to whether you are hiking up a narrow canyon drainage or down a narrow canyon drainage. By knowing this, you’ll then know ahead of time which direction a possible flash flood would come from. While hiking, I always recommend for hikers to look for places to climb up off the canyon floor. It’s important to know that climbing up off the canyon floor just a couple of feet can be much better than trying to outrun flash floods. Be aware that some slot canyons have walls hundreds of feet high on both sides, and provide no easy exits.
A build-up of clouds or the sound of thunder is a good sign that you should exit the canyon and get to higher ground. If you notice rising water levels or stronger currents in the creeks meandering through a narrow canyon, get out of there.
Sometimes the first things you will notice will be a sudden stiff breeze coming down the canyon, quickly followed by a roar of water. Several survivors of flash floods liken it to a freight train. If that happens, get to high ground immediately! You may only have a few moments. Other times, you may see a sudden change in water clarity, from clear to muddy, that is accompanied by floating debris. These are signs of a flash flood.
In front of the rising waters from a flash flood will be a debris flow. Large trees, bushes, and branches, even boulders the size of small cars can be pushed downstream by the fast-moving water. The debris flow can be several feet wide and several feet thick. and is commonly what is left behind after a flash flood is over.
Debris left from a flash flood
Now I don’t write this to terrify you and scare you away. I do this so you will be prepared, that you will know what to look for, and that you’ll come out of the canyon alive. If you do get caught by a flash flood and are swept downstream, point your feet in the direction the flash flood is taking you, it will give you a better chance to avoid going headfirst into rocks, but also realize that there are probably rocks, trees, and debris being carried behind you.
Remember the best way to survive a flash flood is to avoid putting yourself in that situation in the first place. Slot canyons are my favorite places to hike, and with a little common sense, you may find that they can be your favorite too!
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