A major flash flood has swept through parts of Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park, leaving at least 15 people potentially missing or unaccounted for. More than 60 people have been evacuated from the affected area as rescue teams assess the damage and search for information about those who may still be in the canyon.
Highlights
- At least 15 people are potentially missing or unaccounted for.
- More than 60 people have been evacuated from the affected area.
- Nearly all footbridges across Bright Angel Creek were destroyed.
- Phantom Ranch and sections of the North Kaibab Trail have been closed.
- Further thunderstorms and rainfall are possible in the area.
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Flash flood hits Grand Canyon
The flooding occurred on Saturday afternoon around Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch, an area deep inside the Grand Canyon.
The National Park Service said its teams, working alongside the Arizona Department of Public Safety, had evacuated more than 60 people by Sunday morning.
No injuries had been reported at the time of the update.
However, authorities are trying to establish the whereabouts of at least 15 people who may have been in the affected corridor when the flooding occurred.
Authorities seek information on missing hikers
Park officials are asking members of the public to provide any information about hikers, backpackers or campers who were in the Bright Angel Creek area on Saturday.
They are also seeking information about people who had reservations at campgrounds along the affected route.
The request is aimed at helping authorities determine who was in the canyon when the sudden flooding occurred.
Major damage reported
The force of the water caused extensive damage to infrastructure in the area.
Nearly all footbridges crossing Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, according to park officials.
Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins have all been closed until further notice.
The entire North Kaibab Trail between the North Kaibab Trailhead and Phantom Ranch has also been shut.
The Colorado River has meanwhile been closed to river traffic because metal structures and other debris from the flooding have entered the water.
Heavy rain triggered sudden flooding
The National Weather Service said the region received between half an inch and one inch of rain within roughly 30 minutes.
Justin Johndrow, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Flagstaff, explained that the rocky terrain and steep changes in elevation meant much of the rainfall quickly turned into runoff.
Bright Angel Creek flows from the North Rim towards the Colorado River, dropping approximately 6,000 feet along its route.
That steep terrain can cause water to move rapidly through the canyon, making flash floods particularly dangerous for hikers and campers caught in the area.
More storms possible
The danger may not be over yet, with additional rain and thunderstorms forecast to remain possible in the area into Monday.
Authorities are continuing to assess the situation while seeking information that could help establish the whereabouts of people who were in the canyon during the flooding.
For visitors exploring nature, the incident is another reminder that weather conditions can change rapidly in mountainous and canyon environments, sometimes leaving very little time to react.
Nature can turn unpredictable in minutes, and in places as vast and rugged as the Grand Canyon, a sudden change in weather can quickly become a fight for survival.
