ST. GEORGE — Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain in upper Zion Canyon and the Keyhole Slot Canyon areas, and flash flooding is imminent, the National Weather Service said in a news release around 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Specifically, the NWS said:
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include … Zion National…specifically Keyhole Canyon, Clear Creek, Imlay Canyon, Mystery Canyon, and upper Telephone Canyon. Additionally, flows are expected to increase along the North Fork of the Virgin River including the Narrows.
At 7:22 p.m., Doppler radar indicated between .50-.75 inches of rain fell across Keyhole Canyon, Clear Creekand Imlay Canyon. Flash flooding was expected.
Flash flooding can occur without warning; thus it is important to “remain alert for flooding even in locations not receiving rain. Dry washes, streams, and rivers can become raging killer currents in a matter of minutes, even from distant rainfall,” the news release said.
The NWS also reported severe storms are expected near both Cedar City and Panguitch, with “scattered showers and thunderstorms before 9 p.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds.”
This is a developing story.
Update July 13 8:25 p.m. Rainfall confirmed at 7:22 p.m.