Overview
- A sudden, severe flash flood struck the Phantom Ranch area in the Grand Canyon, sweeping large boulders, metal debris and parts of footbridges into the Colorado River.
- Park staff evacuated more than 60 people from Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground, and officials have not reported any confirmed injuries so far.
- The National Park Service has asked the public for help locating more than 20 people who have not been heard from since the flood and is coordinating search-and-rescue with Arizona authorities.
- Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch and many river rafting trips remain closed or suspended because flood damage removed bridge access and added new hazards to the canyon.
- Late-summer monsoon storms can cause intense, localized runoff in narrow canyon channels, which helps explain how a short, heavy downpour produced rapid, dangerous debris flows and complicates ongoing rescue work.