Zion National Park is among the most sought-after tourist destinations in the US, and it is visited by many guests daily. Typically, in the summer months, this area receives an average of only 7.6 mm of precipitation, which is even less than standard figures. But on one July day, more than 25 mm of rain fell here in just an hour. As a result, water flows washed away asphalt surfaces, and the area turned into a continuous mud mess that was impossible to drive through. At the same time, about 150 cars belonging to reserve visitors were affected.
Footage showing the aftermath of the elements is available in the video below.
Authorities have allocated approximately 7 days to pull cars out of the mud trap, while bringing infrastructure back to order may stretch over several months. Nevertheless, it is likely that a significant portion, and possibly all vehicles, will be deemed unfit for further use — due to mechanical breakdowns and failures in electronic systems.
