GRAND CANYON, AZ — Flood watches and alerts remained in place across Arizona, Utah and Colorado after a fast-moving flash flood hit the Grand Canyon area and killed one person.
Park officials said about 15 people are still missing or unaccounted for after the August 29 storm. More than 60 people were evacuated from the canyon floor, many by helicopter, as water surged through Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area.
The Flood
The National Park Service said the flooding struck around 2:30 p.m. near Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch. The water moved through Bright Angel Creek, carrying boulders, debris and mud downstream.
Officials said the force of the flood swept away footbridges and changed parts of the creek bed. Some areas also appear to have developed a new or significantly altered rapid along the Colorado River.
Search Efforts
The body of a 46-year-old man was recovered Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River. The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office was at the scene, but officials have not released the man’s identity or said exactly how he died.
Park officials first asked the public for help finding more than 20 people. After accounting for hikers and campers, they narrowed the number to about 15 still missing or unaccounted for.
Danger Zone
Forecasters said more thunderstorms could bring one to three inches of rain in some spots, with isolated storms dumping more than an inch in an hour. The National Weather Service said saturated soil, dry washes, slot canyons and steep terrain can turn distant rain into a sudden flood.
That risk is especially sharp in the Grand Canyon during monsoon season. Water can rise quickly upstream and race through narrow channels even when the sky above a hiker looks clear.
Park Damage
The flood also damaged the park’s main water pipeline, which serves Grand Canyon Village and supports both visitors and about 1,600 residents. Because of that damage, the park imposed emergency water restrictions and said overnight lodging inside the park is not available.
Trails, footbridges and critical water infrastructure remain under repair and assessment. The Colorado River was temporarily closed in the affected area, and several popular locations, including Bright Angel Campground and the North Kaibab Trail, are still closed.
Next Steps
Authorities are asking anyone with information about hikers, backpackers or campers who may have been in the Bright Angel Creek corridor on August 29 to contact the National Park Service. Search conditions are difficult because the canyon floor is remote and communications are limited.
The flooding comes as the park’s water system is already undergoing a $208 million rehabilitation and delivery upgrade that began in 2023 and was expected to finish next year. Grand Canyon officials said the storm has created another major challenge for a system that serves about 6 million visitors a year.
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