Overview
- A sudden, fast-moving flash flood struck Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch on Saturday after intense rainfall on the Kaibab Plateau, sending mud, boulders and structures down into the Colorado River.
- The National Park Service confirmed two people have been found dead, one person remains missing, and park officials said about 82 people were rescued or evacuated over the weekend.
- The flood destroyed most footbridges over Bright Angel Creek and severely damaged the Transcanyon Waterline, forcing the park to suspend many overnight and river activities and to impose strict water-use limits.
- Search-and-rescue teams used helicopters, permit and vehicle-record checks and family contacts to account for visitors, and officials said heavy rain and the risk of further debris flows have slowed recovery operations.
- Flash floods are a known summer hazard in the Grand Canyon because rain on the high Kaibab Plateau funnels rapidly into narrow side canyons, and park managers warn that repairs, safety assessments and visitor restrictions will likely continue into the holiday period.