Flash Floods in Grand Canyon: Evacuations, Missing Persons, and Damage

In a dramatic turn of events, the Grand Canyon witnessed severe flash flooding over the weekend, leading to widespread destruction and a frantic rescue mission. This natural calamity has impacted infrastructure, prompted the evacuation of over 60 individuals, and left many missing.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety and National Parks Service evacuated at least 62 people from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail to the South Rim, as per a statement from the National Park Service (NPS). Further evacuations were planned at the Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch the following day.

The NPS reports at least 20 people remain missing or unaccounted for, urging anyone with information on the whereabouts of hikers or campers from the area to contact the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch.

Flooding around Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch has resulted in the destruction of several structures and extensive damage to utilities.

The floodwaters demolished the Black Bridge and Silver Bridge over the Colorado River, as well as nearly all footbridges crossing Bright Angel Creek, leading to trail closures, including the North Kaibab Trail.

Grand Canyon River Runner Tom Martin explained that heavy rainfall on the Dragon Bravo fire scar released debris down the North Rim, causing substantial flows of debris.

Martin noted the creation of a 9-foot dam across the Colorado River due to the debris flow, effectively halting river traffic upstream of Phantom Ranch. A photo released by the National Park Service illustrates the situation.

“It shows the ponding of the Colorado River upstream of this new dam that has been built all the way across the river by this flash flood coming out of the side creek, coming out of Bright Angel Creek,” Martin mentioned.

Temporary worker accommodations and a critical water pipeline fell victim to the floodwaters, Martin added. “That flood yesterday took out a whole bunch of buildings, the temporary housing for the new pipeline. All their housing is now gone. The bridges that cross the Colorado, that cross Bright Angel Creek, there are four or five of them. They’re all gone.”

The NPS warns of potential thunderstorms through Monday, which may lead to further flash flooding, debris flows, and rockfalls, affecting trail conditions. The reopening timeline remains uncertain.