Hiking canyons can quickly turn deadly when storms hit – what you should know before going in

Canyons are narrow, steep valleys that act like channels for water during heavy rainfall.

Even if rain falls far upstream or outside the canyon, the water can rush into the canyon quickly due to the steep terrain.

For example, in the Grand Canyon on August 29, 2026, monsoon storms sent a sudden flood into a narrow part of the canyon, trapping hikers.

These floods are called flash floods because they happen rapidly and with little warning.

The Grand Canyon flood involved heavy downpours typical of monsoon season, which lasts from mid-June to September in Arizona.

In arid regions like Arizona or Israel’s Negev Desert, dry ground forms hardened crusts that prevent water from soaking into the soil, making flooding worse.

In 2018, a flash flood in Israel’s Tzafit Canyon killed 10 hikers, showing how quickly water can rise in such environments.

A year’s worth of rain fell in a single day during that event.