Capitol Gorge flash flood rescue June 23rd 2022

Published 2022-07-01
See the events as they unfolded the morning of June 23rd the great flash flood that surprised us all.
Also, check out my interview with The Weather Channel as part of "The Earth Unlocked" series and episode "Canyons".

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All Comments (21)
  • We left the gorge minutes before you began filming. We were the last ones to get out before the road washed away. We have been wondering for weeks what it looked like where we had been. Thank you for sharing.
  • @CalebSalstrom
    “Didn’t get a chance to check the weather report” - a great lesson to learn for all. There is always time to check the weather first.
  • @dennisduran8500
    Telling that couple in the car that's floating by. " Hey! it's gonna get worse" was really comforting 😮
  • @iam9546
    😳 you had plenty of time to get out instead of staying under the awning. I’ve been in flash floods in a Corolla, van and patriot. User error. Even with no cell service. First rain drop in back country desert you leave fast. Like NASCAR fast. Glad y’all made it out and kids have awesome stories to tell
  • @babybirdhome
    This is a great video showing people just how dangerous flash floods in places like this really are. The one thing I would like to highlight to viewers though is one of the most important facts a visitor should know in an area like this one. Flash floods come from rain, but that DOESN’T mean that they come from rain that you can see or that you even think could affect you. They can happen so far away from where you are that you can’t even tell there are storm clouds in the sky. I live in Arizona, and they’re so common around here that the state actually has a “stupid driver” law that states that if you cross a wash in a road and get yourself into trouble, you have to pay 100% of the rescue costs yourself because people constantly underestimate how dangerous flash flooding can be and what even a couple inches of water can do to you or a vehicle. Around here, we can get flash flooding across the desert from rain storms that happened 50-100 miles away in some cases. When it’s monsoon season in places where it’s normally very dry like this, pay attention to local alerts and warnings and do exactly what the authorities tell you to do. Bad weather in these places is extremely deadly if you do the wrong thing.
  • Sorry for my bad english; I come from Germany and we visited this Canyon 5 days after your visit. We knew nothing from this flood and we drove to the upper parking place. The street was closed, we parked our car on this place and we hiked the tour. All of the time we heard and later seen the big work-cars, which clean the street. And we asked us - what happend here? Okay - we thot: May be it has rain the last day.....
    And now - after over 6 month, I found your movie here on YT and I was speechless....
    Thanks for this movie and thanks for this information and warning. I wich your and your family all the best
  • What an amazing video. My mom and I went to Capitol Reef as part of a 10-day road trip across Utah and back in 2017. We had originally planned to stay much longer in the park, but then we got a rainy weather update. We changed our plans real quick. I'm glad you and your family got out safely!
  • @cashargis6950
    This footage is incredible! I drove through here a few months back (October 2022) and you can just tell looking at the geography that this is what would happen and that this is how these incredible mountains and gorges were formed. It's so cool to see it actually happening.
  • @dperk2294
    As a dad who drove my kids out through the camp fire, you did exactly what your kids needed. Be smart, improvise as needed, and remain calm. Yes the kids become a handful, and trying to manage their emotions is next to impossible, but showing them that you are calm and making wise decisions is what they need in getting through a “storm”.

    That’s being a leader!

    Thanks for sharing
  • @rrehm5414
    I was in the Gorge a couple weeks prior. For folks who may not be familiar with this territory and flash floods: 1) The first mistake was ignoring the rain and not immediately checking weather; 2) Second mistake after going through rain, not paying attention to the large sign at the top of the gorge warning folks about the weather, impassible road conditions,, not getting out ASAP; 4) At the first sign of water falling off cliffs...getting out at full speed. The entire emergency could have been avoided by following common travel rules in the desert canyons.
  • I try to warn tourists that even if it’s not raining where you are, those canyons can fill with water instantly… There really needs to be a program or psa to visitors or non-natives of Utah/Arizona because every year I read about some family disappearing in floods like these.
  • I used to live in Red Rock Canyon, CA off of Hwy 14, flash floods were a common occurrence. So glad y’all are safe and show others how dangerous the desert can be. Love the fact we had lots of heavy equipment, road graders, front end loaders, tractors, etc. made the desert so much fun to explore. Especially anything with hydraulic suspension. LOL
  • @roadpizza3470
    God bless the park staff for always giving everything they have. Those are incredible people!!
  • @JulStar13
    This should be a lesson to everyone: pay attention to weather forecasts and, more importantly, the weather you can see when you’re out. Especially in places like this. Dark storm clouds aren’t “normal” here. You’re incredibly lucky you and your family is safe.
  • This is the second time watching. What an abnormal experience. I would not have been as calm as you. You & the other survivors are blessed.
  • Damn your footage could have just as likely ended up in someone else’s accident reconstruction video. I recognize a few of the rescue team and know a handful of Capitol Reef backcountry rangers. It’s clear you didn’t understood the danger you were in, nor did anyone at the trailhead. Crossing washes and hiking narrows even on a dry day has me on edge. Hope everyone has some nice memories and helicopter rides are usually cool!
  • I've always been told that the moment it starts to rain in an area like this, you turn around and get out as soon as you can for this exact reason. This is crazy.
  • @koalamullet
    I was in Sri Lanka in the middle of the 2004 tsunami. 5 friends and I swam out, got onto a roof and survived. I know all too well what that crashing sound of a wall of water is, like a Boeing jet engine coming at you. Great filming and so glad you and your family made it out safely.
  • @jsacodes916
    And now it is easy to see how quickly someone can drown in those conditions. Thanks for documenting this.
  • “Flash floods help rejuvenate the landscape, but it’s best done without people present” had me cackling lmao