1961 — Sep 17, thunderstorm, flash flooding, Zions Narrows (5); Glen Canyon (1), UT– 6

–6 Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 4, No. 9, September 1961, p. 104.

Narrative Information

Storm Data: “Utah…Virgin River, Zion Nat’l Park, Glen Canyon…17 [Sep]…A.M. …6 [killed]…Thunderstorms. Heavy thunderstorms on upper Virgin drainage resulted in flash flood through Zions Narrows. Party of hikers caught with five deaths. Considerable damage to crops, livestock and highways. Small girl killed in flash flood at Glen Canyon.” (Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 4, No. 9, September 1961, p. 104.)

Newspapers

Sep 17, UPI: Springdale, Utah (UPI) – The Park Service sent a search party into the debris-strewn Virgin River Narrows today hoping to find alive two missing hikers caught in a killer flash flood. Three of the 26 persons in their party, a man and two boys, drowned Monday when the rain-swollen stream suddenly grew to a 14-foot crest and bore down on them in a canyon only 12 feet wide in places. Most of them scrambled to higher ground. At least three were washed away. They were Walter Scott, 48…and Ray Nicholes, 17…both of Salt Lake City, and Steven Florence, 13, Park City, Utah. Still missing were Alvin Nelson…and Frank Johnson…both 17 and both of Salt Like City….” (UPI. “Death Toll May Reach Five in Zion Park Flood.” Daily Herald, Provo, UT. 9-19-1961, p. 1.)

Sep 18, UPI: “Glen Canyon City (UPI) – A 10-year old girl lost her life when she drowned in a ravine deluged by a flash flood Sunday afternoon. Lana Lynn Lee, daughter of Mrs. Wanda McNeill of Glen Canyon City and Ivan Lee of Salt Lake City, attempted to cross a ravine when the flood occurred, sweeping her away. Officials are continuing search for her body today.” (UPI. “10-Year-Old Girl Drowns in Flash Flood.” Daily Herald, Provo, UT. 9-18-1971, p. 2.)

Sources

Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 4, No. 9, September 1961. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Commerce, 1961. Accessed 10-24-2022 at: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-CB54DBE4-21C2-4EB8-8585-476B24E62592.pdf

United Press International. “10-Year-Old Girl Drowns in Flash Flood.” Daily Herald, Provo, UT. 9-18-1971, 2. Accessed 10-24-2022: https://newspaperarchive.com/provo-daily-herald-sep-18-1961-p-2/

United Press International. “Death Toll May Reach Five in Zion Park Flood.” Daily Herald, Provo, UT. 9-19-1961, p. 1. Accessed 10-24-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/provo-daily-herald-sep-19-1961-p-1/