Grand Canyon Flood: 20 Hikers Missing – New Storm Threat

A dramatic Grand Canyon Flood has left more than 20 hikers and visitors missing or unaccounted for after a violent wall of water tore through one of America’s most famous national parks, destroying bridges, damaging trails and forcing dozens of people to be evacuated by helicopter.

The disaster struck around 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Bright Angel Canyon and the remote Phantom Ranch area near the bottom of the Grand Canyon. By Sunday afternoon, the National Park Service was asking the public for help identifying more than 20 people who may have been inside the affected area when the flood hit. Authorities stressed that “missing or unaccounted for” does not necessarily mean the individuals were swept away; officials are still attempting to establish who was actually inside the canyon.

At least 62 people were evacuated by air from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail by Sunday morning, while additional evacuations continued. Remarkably, authorities had reported no injuries among those rescued. Evacuees were transported to the South Rim, where the American Red Cross was assisting them.

Bridges destroyed as water explodes through canyon

The Grand Canyon Flood caused extraordinary destruction along Bright Angel Creek. Nearly every footbridge spanning the creek was destroyed, cutting off pedestrian routes through the canyon. Large boulders, pieces of metal structures and other debris were swept downstream into the Colorado River, which was temporarily closed to river traffic because of the danger.

The flooding was triggered by an intense burst of rain over the steep terrain. National Weather Service meteorologist Justin Johndrow said between half an inch and one inch fell in roughly 30 minutes. Because of the canyon’s dramatic elevation changes, much of the water rushed downhill almost immediately rather than soaking into the ground.

Among the areas closed indefinitely are Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail from the trailhead to Phantom Ranch. Phantom Ranch is a historic lodge deep inside the canyon that can be reached only by hiking, mule or rafting and is normally booked months in advance.

Race to find missing Grand Canyon hikers

Authorities are now trying to determine exactly who was inside the disaster zone. The National Park Service specifically wants information about hikers and backpackers traveling along the Bright Angel Creek corridor, visitors staying at Bright Angel Campground and anyone who was inside an area known as “the Box” north of Phantom Ranch on Saturday.

The search is complicated by the vast and rugged terrain. The Grand Canyon’s inner trails pass through steep cliffs and isolated valleys where communications can be difficult even under normal circumstances. After Saturday’s flood destroyed bridges and damaged infrastructure, reaching some areas has become substantially harder.

And the danger is not over. Forecasters warn that additional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are possible through Monday, bringing the threat of more flash flooding, debris flows, rockfall and rapidly changing trail conditions.

Climate change is also increasing the risk of extreme rainfall and flash flooding in the American Southwest. Warmer air can hold more moisture, which can intensify sudden downpours, while prolonged drought and hardened soils can make it harder for water to soak into the ground — sending more of it rushing into canyons and dry washes.