5 things to know about the deadly flash floods in Utah, Arizona


1. The eight victims were killed Monday afternoon when a "wall of water swept away two vehicles" carrying 16 people, according toThe Associated PressThe victims were all women and children who likely were returning to town from an area park, NBC News reports. The youngest was 4 years old, according to KUTV.

Three people were found alive and five are still missing, USA Today reports.

2. Search crews worked through the night. However, efforts were scaled back because of dangerous conditions in the area, Kevin Barlow, Hildale's assistant fire chief, told the AP. The search will continue today.

3. The floods came as the nearby Virgin River in Zion National Park rose 2 1/2 feet in one hour. According to AccuWeather, two waves of storms reportedly dropped 1 to 2 inches of rain on the area, where "stream systems are not as well-developed."

"This hit with a vengeance we haven't seen for some time," Barlow told NBC News.

4. More rain is on the way Tuesday. The National Weather Service is predicting thunderstorms and scattered showers Tuesday, the AP reports.

5. The towns, together known as the Short Creek community, were known as the home base of Warren Jeffs, a polygamous sect leader who was sentenced to life in prison. Sect members are told to avoid watching TV or using the Internet, according to the AP. Now, the community is split between supporters of Jeffs and defectors.