A major flash flood swept through Arizona's Grand Canyon on Saturday afternoon, killing one person and leaving approximately 15 others missing or unaccounted for, according to the National Park Service.
The flooding occurred in the Bright Angel Canyon area near Phantom Ranch. Park staff and the Arizona Department of Public Safety evacuated more than 60 people by Sunday morning. The body of a 46-year-old man was recovered Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River.
The disaster caused extensive damage to park infrastructure. The flood knocked out the sole water pipeline that supplies up to 6 million annual visitors and about 1,600 residents. This pipeline had been undergoing a $208 million upgrade since 2023. Nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, and the Colorado River is closed to river traffic due to metal structures and debris in the water.
The National Park Service closed several key areas "until further notice," including Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch. Starting Monday, tourists will not be able to stay overnight at the park's lodges and hotels. Residents have been asked to conserve water.
Park officials have requested public assistance in locating missing people. They are asking anyone with information about hikers or backpackers in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on Saturday to contact them. They also want to hear from anyone who held a campground reservation in the affected area.
The intense rainfall created dangerous conditions in the steep terrain. Justin Johndrow, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Flagstaff, explained that approximately half an inch to one inch of rain fell within about 30 minutes in the rocky area with steep elevation changes. "Most of it ran off instantly," Johndrow said. The flooding occurred on the north side of the Grand Canyon where Bright Angel Creek descends about 6,000 feet from the North Rim to the Colorado River.
The large boulders swept into the Colorado River during the flood illustrate the tremendous power of the water. Meteorologists warned that more rain and thunderstorms were possible in the area into Monday.
Flash floods represent a persistent hazard in the Grand Canyon, particularly during monsoon season when intense thunderstorms develop rapidly over the Southwest. The remote locations and steep terrain of the canyon make rescue operations difficult and dangerous for emergency personnel. The incident highlights the risks that hikers and visitors face in the park, especially those in backcountry areas during severe weather events.