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Flash Flooding at Grand Canyon Leaves Two Dead and Over a Dozen Missing

Flash flooding over the weekend left at least two people dead and more than a dozen people missing at Grand Canyon National Park. A 46-year-old man was found near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, while a second body was recovered on Monday. The flooding, caused by a monsoonal downpour, struck the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas, destroying nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek and eliminating hiker access across the creek. Park officials reported that more than 60 people were air evacuated from the lower North Kaibab Trail and Phantom Ranch. The flood also caused extensive damage to the inner canyon's infrastructure, including the Transcanyon Waterline. Because approximately 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline was damaged, the park has implemented Stage 4 water restrictions and closed all overnight guest lodging and concessions inside the park. Search and recovery efforts continue for the remaining missing hikers. Visitors are asked to remain out of the closure area while operations continue. The park has also closed the Colorado River to river traffic due to debris and metal structures flowing down the river.

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