Hiking canyons can be dangerous when storms hit – what you need to know to stay safe

Canyons are narrow valleys with steep walls that channel water like a funnel during storms.

Even if rain falls far away, the water can rush downstream quickly because of the canyon’s steep slopes and narrow passages.

In arid regions like Arizona, where the ground is dry and hard, rainwater cannot soak into the soil easily.

Instead, it flows rapidly over the surface, creating sudden floods called flash floods.

For example, in 2018, a single day of heavy rain in Israel’s Tzafit Canyon—equivalent to a year’s worth of rainfall—caused a deadly flood that killed 10 hikers.

These floods can rise within minutes, trapping people who may not realize danger is approaching until it’s too late.