Grand Canyon Flash Floods Leave One Dead and About 15 Missing as Rescue Efforts Continue

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. — A powerful flash flood tore through the Grand Canyon over the weekend, killing at least one person, leaving about 15 others unaccounted for and forcing dozens of people to evacuate from some of the canyon’s most remote areas.

The flooding struck Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on Saturday afternoon, after an intense storm dropped a large amount of rain in a short period. Rushing water swept boulders, debris and damaged infrastructure toward the Colorado River.

The National Park Service said the body of a 46-year-old man was recovered Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River. Officials have not released additional information about the man.

Dozens Evacuated From Phantom Ranch

At least 62 people were evacuated from areas affected by the flooding.

Among them were visitors staying at Phantom Ranch, the historic lodge near the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Guests described seeing dark, debris-filled water surge through the area as the creek rapidly rose.

Gabe Bergemann, who was visiting Phantom Ranch with his family, said the group was ordered to leave their cabins and cross a footbridge as conditions deteriorated.

The decision proved critical.

According to another visitor, David Gregory, the footbridge was destroyed approximately 10 minutes after the group crossed it. The evacuees were later flown to safety by helicopter.

Gregory said the flooding became so violent that he believed people could have been trapped or killed had park rangers not ordered the evacuation when they did.

Search Continues for Missing Visitors

Park officials are continuing efforts to determine who was in the affected areas when the flooding struck.

Search efforts include people who may have been hiking or camping in Bright Angel Canyon, along the North Kaibab Trail, at Bright Angel Campground or in an area known as “the Box,” north of Phantom Ranch.

Officials cautioned that the number of people believed to be missing could change as investigators receive additional information from families, hikers and other visitors.

The National Park Service has asked anyone who knows someone who may have been in the affected areas Saturday afternoon to contact park authorities.

Major Damage Inside the Canyon

The flooding also caused extensive damage to infrastructure.

Nearly all footbridges crossing Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, eliminating pedestrian access across portions of the creek.

The Transcanyon Waterline, an important system that supplies water from the canyon, was also damaged and is currently not operational. The park said limited water reserves mean significant conservation measures are necessary.

Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen, the North Kaibab Trail and several bridges have been closed until further notice.

More Severe Weather Possible

The danger may not be over.

Forecasters warned that additional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall could produce more flash flooding, debris flows, rockfalls and rapidly changing trail and river conditions.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for northern and central Arizona, warning that extremely powerful currents could develop in narrow canyons and normally dry waterways.

For now, search and evacuation operations remain the priority as authorities try to account for everyone who may have been caught in the sudden flood.

One life has already been lost, dozens have been evacuated, and families are still waiting for news about loved ones as the Grand Canyon faces the aftermath of one of its most dangerous flash-flood events in recent memory.