A significant flash flooding event struck the Grand Canyon’s inner canyon region, specifically impacting Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on Saturday afternoon. The flooding caused substantial destruction to infrastructure including footbridges and displaced boulders into the Colorado River downstream.
Authorities recovered the body of a 46-year-old male near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River on Sunday evening. Approximately 15 people remained unaccounted for following the incident, though the National Park Service initially reported concern for more than 20 individuals before revising the figure downward. In response to the emergency, 62 people were successfully evacuated from the affected area through airlifting operations.
Visitor accounts described the flooding as sudden and alarming. One evacuated visitor reported that conditions appeared normal before rainfall triggered the dangerous water surge, forcing people to seek higher ground. Park rangers coordinated evacuation efforts, directing visitors to elevated locations where they sheltered for several hours before being airlifted to safety around 21:30 local time.
The flooding caused extensive damage to park infrastructure, particularly affecting water systems. The National Park Service announced the closure of overnight guest lodging facilities at the South Rim beginning Monday until further notice. Additionally, all trails in the affected corridor were closed to visitors.
The agency issued public appeals for information regarding any hikers or backpackers who had been in the inner canyon along Bright Angel Creek corridor during the flooding. Weather forecasts predicted additional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall for Sunday and Monday, creating conditions for potential further flash flooding, debris flows, and rockfall hazards. The Bright Angel trail, located within the affected area, is the most heavily used hiking route in the Grand Canyon, which draws approximately five million annual visitors.
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