Flash flooding hit Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday, sweeping debris into the Colorado River and leaving about 15 people unaccounted for, according to the National Park Service (NPS).
Dozens of hikers and campers were evacuated from the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch area after heavy rainfall caused water levels to rise rapidly. The NPS stated the event began around 2:30 pm local time following rain on the Kaibab Plateau, and officials are working with Arizona authorities to account for those missing.
Evacuations and Damaged Infrastructure
By Sunday morning, 62 people had been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail. Additional evacuations were planned from Cottonwood Campground.
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Video footage captured muddy water rushing past trails and beneath footbridges, carrying logs and other debris downstream. The flooding changed the terrain, widening the creek bed and creating a new river rapid.
Officials confirmed that the flooding damaged the park’s sole water pipeline, which serves both tourists and year‑round residents. This infrastructure failure led to water restrictions and a ban on wood and charcoal fires. It also announced that overnight accommodations at lodges and hotels would close on Monday, though day use would remain open. They have paused rafting trips on the Colorado River while surveying the damage.
What the Rain Did to the Canyon
National Weather Service meteorologist Justin Johndrow in Flagstaff explained that about half an inch to 1 inch of rain fell in roughly 30 minutes in the steep area where Bright Angel Creek drops from the North Rim to the river. “Most of it ran off instantly,” Johndrow said. The water rushed down the canyon walls, contributing to the rapid rise in the creek.
Two hikers described the chaos to the outlet. Erica Viola was at Bright Angel Campground when the rain started and watched the creek rise and debris flow by, including what appeared to be a bunkhouse. She and about 50 others were taken to safety by helicopter. Parth Desai was hiking with a group of physicians and a ranger when the downpour began. “We saw the creek flood, waterfalls coming up out of nowhere, boulders, mud, landslides happening everywhere,” he said. As they moved toward Phantom Ranch, a colleague shouted for them to run when a 4‑foot debris wall approached. They scrambled into a patch of cacti and were rescued by helicopter that evening.
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The NPS is asking anyone with information about people who were hiking or camping in the affected area to come forward. The agency is also monitoring weather conditions through Monday, warning that additional thunderstorms could bring more flash flooding and debris flows.
Popular tourist spots like Bright Angel Campground and the North Kaibab Trail remain closed as officials continue to assess the situation.
Rescue crews remain on standby.
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