10-Year-Old Boy Among 16 Dead in Utah Flash Flooding

The victims were in Hildale and Zion National Park.

ByABC News
September 15, 2015, 9:32 PM

— -- Twelve people, including a 10-year-old boy, are dead after flash floods tore through the town of Hildale, Utah, Monday night, on the border with Arizona, authorities said.

One person is missing, Washington County Emergency Services said this afternoon.

Separately, four people were killed in nearby Zion National Park and three people remained missing as a result of the flooding.

"I join with other Utahns in mourning today the lives lost in two tragic incidents at Zion National Park and Hildale," Gov. Gary R. Herbert said a statement. "Jeanette and I send our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones."

PHOTO: People look on as crews clear mud and debris from a road following a flash flood, Sept. 15, 2015, in Colorado City, Ariz.
People look on as crews clear mud and debris from a road following a flash flood, Sept. 15, 2015, in Colorado City, Ariz.
PHOTO: Members of the Mojave County search and rescue team use dogs to search for bodies after a flash flood on Sept. 15, 2015 in Colorado City, Ariz.
Members of the Mojave County search and rescue team use dogs to search for bodies after a flash flood on Sept. 15, 2015 in Colorado City, Ariz.

The victims in Hildale had stopped their cars at a point where waters from Maxwell Canyon cross Central Street, authorities said.

They exited their cars, then got back in, when a massive flash flood swept them away, authorities in Colorado City, Arizona, said at a news conference today. Hildale serves as a sister town of Colorado City.

The 10-year-old's body was found over 6 miles downstream from the incident, authorities said.

The flash flooding left streets littered with mud, sand, boulders and debris.

PHOTO: A car sits on the side of the road after being pulled from Short Creek by construction equipment that is removing flood debris from Short Creek as it crosses Central Street, Sept. 15, 2015 in Hildale, Utah
A car sits on the side of the road after being pulled from Short Creek by construction equipment that is removing flood debris from Short Creek as it crosses Central Street, Sept. 15, 2015 in Hildale, Utah.

Damaged homes and power outages were also reported, according to Washington County Emergency Services Public Information Officer Pete Kuhlmann.

PHOTO:Several woman watch as large construction equipment is used to remove flood debris from Short Creek, Sept. 15, 2015 in Hildale, Utah.
Several woman watch as large construction equipment is used to remove flood debris from Short Creek, Sept. 15, 2015 in Hildale, Utah.
PHOTO:Debris and water cover the ground after a flash flood, Sept. 14, 2015, in Hildale, Utah
Debris and water cover the ground after a flash flood, Sept. 14, 2015, in Hildale, Utah.