The last helper was now ready to give his report, but he was a mess! His clothes were torn so much that they were almost falling off his body! His hair was wet and sticking out in all directions, and he had some big bruises! He had lost his glasses and he only had one shoe!
He said that he had gone to Capitol Reef National Park in Utah and had gotten caught in a flash flood! The park is beautiful and not very crowded. There are mountains and canyons to drive through and plenty of trails for hiking.
The sedimentary rock formations are awe-inspiring and the sky so is dark at night that thousands of stars can be seen. The helper had been enjoying every moment in the park and he was hiking along a beautiful trail in a canyon when suddenly water started running across the trail!
It took only a few minutes until the water was six inches deep and swept him off his feet! It was not even raining in the canyon yet, but the canyon was flooding and suddenly a large waterfall started coming over the top of the canyon!
The water carried him down a short slope and he bounced off a couple of boulders before he finally got back on solid ground! He was fortunate not to get hurt seriously! He was stranded in that canyon for over two hours before the water level went down! He could not even call for help because his cell phone did not have service in that canyon!
Capitol Reef National Park is very beautiful, but flash floods in the park can be deadly. Most of the year the park is very dry, but from mid-June to mid-October they have their ‘monsoon season’. During this time short, but intense storms occur in this area of Utah. The storm does not even have to be in the park; if a storm is west of the park, it can cause a flash food in the park! One half inch of rain in an hour will cause a flash food because there is so much rock and so little ground to absorb the rain quickly. Water will flood the canyons, trails, and even some of the roads!
Scenic Drive, which is one of the most popular roads in the park can be closed by a flash flood and cars parked in low areas can be swept away and crumpled against boulders!
To be safe during monsoon season, a visitor to the park should take these steps:
Avoid Dangerous Areas
- Check the flash flood potential rating from the National Weather Service each day before visiting the park; weather predictions can change overnight. Current weather forecasts and WiFi are available at the visitor center.
- Avoid hiking and driving in canyons, gorges, and washes when there is a chance of storms. Even a slight chance of rain can produce a flash flood.
- Park in designated parking areas. Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge roads are in the bottom of canyons. Cars parked along the roadside can be swept away by floodwaters.
- Do not drive the Scenic Drive in heavy rain. Several paved dips along the Scenic Drive cross washes that can flood. Heavy machinery may be required to remove leftover mud and debris, leaving the 8-mile paved road impassable for hours or days.
Pay Attention to Warning Signs
- Look for dark storm clouds. Storms to the west can cause flooding inside the park where no rain has fallen.
- Streams and rivers change color, becoming brown and muddy. They begin to rise and carry sticks and debris.
- Formerly dry washes start to flow with water.
During a Flash Flood
- Get to high ground immediately and wait for flooding to stop. Do not attempt to collect belongings. Water levels can rise rapidly.
- Flooding may last for 30 minutes to a few hours.
- Do not attempt to hike or drive through floodwater. Six inches of water can knock you off your feet. Flooding may increase dramatically before improving and can sweep cars away, smashing them into boulders and canyon walls.
Application for you and me:
This helper found a God-Connection in the flash flood. The greatest flood in history was the flood during Noah’s time. The story of Noah and the great flood is found in the Bible in Genesis chapters 6 -9. God promised that there will never be a flood as great as the flood in Noah’s time, but there will be another very bad time on earth. Jesus will return at some day (and it might be very soon) to take all the believers out of this world, and then there will be seven years of God’s judgement on this world before God puts an end to sin and wickedness. God compares the time of Jesus’ return to the time just before the great world-wide flood in Noah’s time!
In the Bible in Matthew 24:36-44 Jesus says:
However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself. Only the Father knows. When the Son of Man (Jesus) returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
When visiting Capitol Reef National Park during the monsoon season a person needs to watch for the signs that a storm or a flash flood are coming. When storm clouds start building, or thunder is heard in the distance or it starts raining hard, a person needs to get out of the canyons and low areas. A person or even cars can be swept away quickly by a flash flood.
In the same way, people need to pay attention to what is going on in the world these days. We are living in a time when most people do not pay attention to God! It is not popular to believe in God or take time to learn about God. Most people are more interested in going to parties and having a good time. One of these days Jesus will return and most people will not be expecting Him or be ready for Him!
In the Bible in II Corinthians 6:2 God says:
For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.
Please look at the world around you, evil and wickedness are out of control, and people are ignoring God! Jesus could return soon! Are you ready? Have you prayed and asked Jesus to come into your life and forgive your sins? This is the day to do it! Please do not put it off!