Flash floods, rockfalls close parts of Zion National Park
(Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune) The entrance to Zion National Park near Sprindale, Utah Monday, September 30, 2013. A looming federal government shutdown could close all National Parks.
St. George • Flash floods in southern Utah have closed several roads and trails at Zion National Park.
The National Park Service said Thursday that the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway from Canyon Junction to the East Entrance is closed indefinitely due to damage overnight from flooding and rock falls.
No injuries have been reported.
Officials say the national park near St. George north of the Arizona line received 3 inches of rain in a short amount of time Wednesday night.
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive also is closed to traffic but shuttles are traveling as far as the Grotto trail head. All trails north of the Grotto are closed.
A flash flood warning expired at 11 p.m. Wednesday. But the national Weather service says the North Fork of the Virgin River will continue to run high on Thursday.
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