Rain-Swollen Utah River Carries Debris Downstream

Heavy rain threatened parts of Colorado and Utah with flash flooding and mudslides, especially in wildfire burn scar areas. Footage shared by Capitol Reef National Park shows a rain-swollen creek in south-central Utah carrying debris on July 21.

The storms resulted in “quite an impressive flash flood in Sulphur Creek” on Wednesday, the park wrote in an Instagram caption. Videos show the power of the river’s current, carrying tree branches and other debris along with it.

“The forecast is predicting monsoonal activity for the rest of the week. Remember to stay safe, never cross rivers or creeks that are flash flooding, check the weather forecast, and be prepared,” the park warned.

A flash flood watch was in effect for parts of Capitol Reef National Park and the Escalante River basin through Thursday, the National Weather Service said.

In Colorado, at least one person was killed during the flash flooding, and three remained missing as of Thursday morning, said Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith. Credit: Capitol Reef National Park via Storyful