FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – State and federal officials are working hard to find around 15 people who went missing after a major flash flood hit the Grand Canyon, tragically resulting in at least one death.
Forecasters have issued warnings about the possibility of more rain and thunderstorms, which could lead to additional flooding in this popular tourist destination. The flood, which occurred on Saturday in Bright Angel Creek, caused significant damage, including the destruction of the only water pipeline in the canyon. This has led to emergency water restrictions for residents, and tourists are currently prohibited from staying at lodges and hotels within the park.
The Grand Canyon is a stunning natural wonder, but summer visits can be particularly risky due to the threat of flash floods caused by monsoon rains. Clear skies can quickly turn to heavy thunderstorms, making conditions dangerous.
The National Weather Service has indicated that there remains an elevated risk of flash flooding due to saturated soils and deep moisture lingering in the area.
On Sunday evening, the body of a 46-year-old man was recovered near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River. The National Park Service has confirmed the recovery but has not released further details. Over 60 people were airlifted from the canyon’s depths as search efforts continued. Officials are urging anyone with information about missing hikers or campers to come forward. The Arizona Department of Public Safety assisted with evacuations on Sunday.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs expressed her sympathy for the families of those unaccounted for, stating, “My heart is with the families and loved ones of every person unaccounted for after the flash flooding at the Grand Canyon.” The state’s Department of Emergency and Military Affairs is collaborating with the park service and local emergency management for search and recovery operations.
Parth Desai, a physician, was hiking through Bright Angel Canyon when the heavy rain began. He described the scene: “We saw the creek flood, waterfalls coming up out of nowhere, boulders, mud, landslides happening everywhere.” As they moved toward Phantom Ranch, a colleague’s warning about a dangerous debris wall prompted them to seek higher ground, where they were eventually rescued by helicopter.
The flooding caused torrents of water that destroyed footbridges over Bright Angel Creek, which feeds into the Colorado River. The flood also disrupted a significant effort to modernize the water pipeline that serves around 6 million visitors each year, along with approximately 1,600 residents of Grand Canyon Village.
Jack Schmidt, director of the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University, voiced concerns about the implications of the flooding, questioning where funds would come from if reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure becomes necessary.
This isn’t the first time tragic incidents have occurred in the Grand Canyon due to flooding. In August 2024, a woman named Chenoa Nickerson was swept away during a flood while hiking in the Havasupai region; she was found deceased after a three-day search.
While it is rare for overnight stays to be halted due to a lack of water, such situations can occur when the main pipeline fails, as it frequently has in the past. Although the South Rim of the Grand Canyon has large storage tanks for drinking water, they will not be refilled until the pipeline is repaired.
A $208 million rehabilitation project for the pipeline and upgrades to the water delivery system began in 2023, with hopes of completion next year. This investment is crucial to ensure the park can meet the needs of both residents and visitors.
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Stengle reported from Dallas. Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina; Holly Ramer in Concord, New Hampshire; and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
