A sign for Canyonlands National Park, in Moab, Utah. Photograph: Mickey Krakowski/APView image in fullscreenA sign for Canyonlands National Park, in Moab, Utah. Photograph: Mickey Krakowski/APAbout 70 ultramarathon runners in Utah evacuated after being stranded by floodingRunners in Moab 240 successfully evacuated from race route after flooding from remnants of tropical storm Rachel
About 70 runners participating in Utah’s Moab 240 ultramarathon were successfully evacuated from the race route on Sunday after being stranded by flooding stemming from the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel.
The event’s host, Destination Trail, addressed the emergency rescue effort in a social media statement which confirmed that all runners were safe and accounted for.
“We have great news – all runners are accounted for and either back at race [headquarters] or in a vehicle on the way back,” the statement said. “We’re glad to report everyone made it out safely despite the wild weather.’”
The Moab 240 ultramarathon ultimately was canceled with parts of the course drastically affected by fallen trees, potent winds, dangerously cold temperatures and strong rain associated with Rachel.
“After a lot of careful discussion, we’ve made the incredibly difficult decision to call the Moab 240” off, the ultramarathon host said in a post.
“The weather has become too dangerous to safely continue – we’ve received reports of aid station structures blowing away, trees falling down, wind, rain, freezing temps – and we’re expecting conditions to get worse tonight.”
The local sheriff’s office coordinated relief efforts with race organizers to assist participants who were affected by the weather conditions. Additionally, shuttles and personnel were sent to pick up runners.
Rachel had also been forecast to bring heavy winds and rain to northern Mexico and southern California. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood warning in parts of San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties.
The storm’s remnants were still moving across Utah on Monday, the Salt Lake news outlet KUTV reported. A flood watched remained in effect through Monday afternoon across most of Utah.
