ZION NATIONAL PARK — The search for a woman who has been missing since flooding at Zion National Park forced the rescue of several hikers on Friday and continued Monday.
The National Park Service and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office are now searching south of the park with dogs in areas “in or near the Virgin River, including fast-flowing and deep water,” as well as continuing to search the river in Zion, according to a park service statement.
On Sunday, crews looked for the woman in those areas as well. According to the statement, they will continue to monitor the weather as they plan their search efforts.
As search and rescue operations continued, the Riverside Walk and Narrows remained closed on Monday. Rain has kept Emerald Pool and the Kayenta Trail closed since August 18. Camping permits for the Virgin River Narrows and top-down river hiking permits have also been revoked. Angels Landing and other canyon areas are still accessible.
Within Zion Canyon, shuttle buses only stop between the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and the Grotto, but shuttle service in Springdale is unaffected by the search.
According to park officials, rangers responded Friday afternoon to a report that multiple hikers were swept away by flash flooding while hiking the Narrows near the Temple of Sinawava. While no one was missing at the time, rangers later Friday night received a report of one missing person from a park visitor.
Jetal Agnihotri, from Arizona, was there with some university friends. Her friends reported that she moved forward while they stood back. According to his friends, Agnihotri is a hydrology major who knows a lot about water but does not know how to swim.
