At least two people are dead and roughly 15 others remain unaccounted for after major flash flooding tore through a remote section of Grand Canyon National Park over the weekend, park officials said.
The flooding struck Bright Angel Canyon on Saturday afternoon, sweeping boulders, bridges, and infrastructure into the Colorado River after a storm dropped an intense burst of rain in a short period of time.
Bodies Recovered Along the River
The National Park Service recovered the body of a 46-year-old man near Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River on Sunday evening. A second body was recovered Monday, though officials have not released that person’s identity.
The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating both deaths alongside park officials.
A Chaotic Rescue Effort
Flooding began around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, forcing the National Park Service to evacuate 62 people by helicopter from the Phantom Ranch camping area and the lower North Kaibab Trail.
Park officials are asking for information about anyone who may have been hiking or backpacking along Bright Angel Creek, staying at Phantom Ranch or the Bright Angel Campground, or traveling along the North Kaibab Trail when the flooding hit.
The flash flood destroyed a footbridge along Bright Angel Creek, leaving only stone pylons standing where the crossing once stood. Officials said the flooding also caused extensive damage to infrastructure throughout the inner canyon.
Water Supply Disrupted
Among the damaged infrastructure is the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water from the canyon floor for use throughout the park. The line is currently not operational.
“The waterline is currently not operational, leaving the park with limited water reserves and requiring significant water conservation measures to ensure available supplies can be maintained,” the park service said in a statement. All park concessions have halted overnight accommodations during what would normally be peak visitor season, and water restrictions on the South Rim took effect at noon Monday.
More Rain in the Forecast
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for all of northern and central Arizona through Monday evening, warning that flash flooding remains possible in creeks, normally dry washes, and narrow slot canyons.
“Raging killer currents will be possible in side canyons and narrow slot canyons,” the alert said. Forecasters pointed to already-saturated soils and deep monsoonal moisture as factors raising the risk of further flooding, with showers and thunderstorms expected to continue through Monday.
Jack Schmidt, director of the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University, described the flooding as a reminder of how dynamic and unpredictable the canyon’s landscape can be.
A Recurring Danger
The Grand Canyon’s summer monsoon season, which runs from mid-June through the end of September, regularly brings sudden, intense storms that can trigger dangerous flash flooding with little warning. The terrain’s steep, narrow canyons channel rainfall into fast-moving torrents that can overwhelm hikers and campers before they have time to reach higher ground.
Why It Matters
With roughly 15 people still unaccounted for and additional flooding possible through Monday, search and rescue operations remain the park’s immediate priority. The damage to the park’s water infrastructure adds a further complication, potentially affecting operations and visitor access well beyond the immediate search effort.
