HILDALE — Gov. Gary Herbert visited Hildale Saturday to express condolences to the families of the 13 victims who were killed in Monday's flash floods.

"Thoughts and prayers are with the families here in Hildale from all over Utah," the governor said. "Our 3 million people mourn with the people of Hildale and the families that have lost loved ones in this tragedy."

As Herbert visited with the families and toured the flood's aftermath, the search continued for one of those 13 — the missing 6-year-old Tyson Black. Although his body has not been found, he is presumed to have drowned Monday along with his mother and several siblings. In all, 10 children and three adult sisters died when their two vehicles were swept away by a powerful flash flood.

The floods in southern Utah are considered one of the worst weather-related disasters in the history of the state, claiming the lives of 21 people overall.

A group of seven hikers from California and Nevada were killed in a flash flood in Zion National Park while hiking and rappelling in the slot canyons of Keyhole Canyon. [The body of a Hurricane man](<Missing Hurricane man's damaged vehicle found in flood plain>) was recovered Tuesday after his damaged vehicle was found in a Washington County flood plain about 15 miles west of Hildale. Investigators say he was caught in Monday's same storm cell but couldn't confirm whether he ultimately died in a flash flood.

"We all are humbled," Herbert said. "We all know that you never know what tomorrow will bring, so we ought to live our lives today so we're prepared to meet our maker tomorrow."

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The governor said when he met with the families, they expressed appreciation to all the emergency personnel and volunteers who have helped search for their loved ones.

"They're wonderful families," said Herbert, who returned from a trade mission to Hong Kong on Friday. "They love their children, they love their wives."

Washington County Sheriff Cory Pulsipher said some emergency team members have been working more than 20 hours a day looking for Tyson in hopes of bringing closure to his family.

But as crews have been digging through mud and debris, the county's resources have been "spread thin," Pulispher said, so Sunday they plan to rest and continue the search Monday.

"This will give the whole community, not just the family, a chance to regroup," he said.

However, the sheriff said more storms are expected Monday and Thursday, and he's worried about how it might impact any search efforts.

"It's going to make it a little bit scary down there in those creek beds," he said. "First and foremost is the safety of those out there doing the work, but we still feel we've got to give it everything we've got."

When asked if the rainfall could help churn up the sand and help the search, Pulispher said, "I'm hopeful for just about anything to help bring this to a resolution."

Contributing: Stace Hall

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