Southern Utah — The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a Flash Flood Warning for south-central Garfield County and northeastern Kane County, in effect until 6:15 PM Mountain Time.

What is happening: Doppler radar and automated rain gauges showed thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area around 3:19 PM, with between a half inch and an inch and a quarter of rain already down. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. The Escalante River near Escalante is on the rise, and slot canyons along the Hole-in-the-Rock road are in the path of this water.

Local impacts: Life-threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses. Slot canyons are especially dangerous — a narrow canyon can fill in minutes even when the sky above it looks clear. Hikers and campers should stay out of streams and washes.

What to do:

- Turn around, don't drown — never drive through flooded roads.

- Dry washes and rivers can become raging killer currents in minutes, even from rain falling miles away.

- If you see water rising around you, get to higher ground immediately.

- Campers and hikers should avoid streams, creeks, and slot canyons until this warning ends.

Source: National Weather Service Salt Lake City, issued October 11, 2026 at 3:19 PM MDT. Reported by TNW News.