One person has died and more than 20 others remain unaccounted for after a powerful flash flood tore through part of Grand Canyon National Park, destroying footbridges, forcing evacuations and prompting officials to seek public help in locating people who may have been in the affected area.
The flooding struck Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area at about 2.30pm on Saturday, Aug. 29, according to the National Park Service.
The body of a 46-year-old man was recovered on Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, the Park Service said. No further details were immediately provided, while officials from an Arizona coroner’s office were at the scene.
On Sunday, park officials said they were working to account for people who may have been hiking, backpacking or camping in the affected areas when the flood hit.
“The National Park Service is asking the public to provide information for more than 20 individuals who may be missing or unaccounted for following a significant flash-flood event in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on August 29,” the agency said in a news release.
Evacuations continue as infrastructure suffers major damage
Grand Canyon National Park staff, working with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, continued evacuation and response operations on Sunday.
The National Park Service is seeking information about anyone who may have been along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on Saturday, including people with campground reservations in the area.
This includes hikers travelling the North Kaibab Trail between the North Kaibab Trailhead and Phantom Ranch, campers staying at Bright Angel Campground, and anyone travelling through or staying in “the Box”, a section of the canyon north of Phantom Ranch.
The flooding caused extensive damage to infrastructure in Bright Angel Canyon, with nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek destroyed, according to the Park Service.
As of Sunday morning, 62 people had been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail. Additional evacuations were underway from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch.
Evacuees were taken to the Maswik Lodge Cafeteria on the South Rim, where the American Red Cross was coordinating assistance.
No injuries had been reported in the latest update from park officials.
Further flooding remains possible
A flash flood watch remained in effect for the Grand Canyon area through Monday evening, with additional showers and thunderstorms in the forecast.
The National Weather Service warned that flash flooding remained possible in creeks, normally dry washes and areas recently affected by wildfire.
The Park Service also warned that further heavy rainfall could trigger debris flows and rockfalls, creating rapidly changing conditions on trails and along the Colorado River.
Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail between the North Kaibab Trailhead and Phantom Ranch have been closed until further notice.
The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge across the Colorado River were also closed, with no estimated reopening date.
The Colorado River was closed to river traffic after metal structures and other debris entered the water during the flooding, according to the National Park Service.
Public urged to help locate unaccounted people
The flooding comes amid heightened concerns about flash floods and debris flows in parts of the Grand Canyon affected by the Dragon Bravo Fire.
The Park Service has warned that burned watersheds draining towards the Colorado River, including Bright Angel Creek, can experience dangerous runoff during periods of heavy rainfall.
Anyone with information about a person who may have been hiking, backpacking or camping in the affected corridor on Saturday is urged to contact the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch Tip Line at 888-653-0009.
Officials are asking callers to provide as much information as possible, including the person’s name, approximate location, travel plans, group size, clothing or backpack description, and when they were last known to have been in the area.
Tipsters do not have to provide their names.
The investigation and search efforts remain ongoing.
