At least one person, identified as a Texas chiropractor, and another individual were discovered deceased following a significant flash flood in the Grand Canyon over the weekend. Weather experts cautioned that additional flooding could occur due to heavy rainfall enveloping the canyon walls.
Approximately 80 individuals were rescued during the flooding, with authorities searching for details on a missing person. Officials, led by Incident Cmdr. Dave Black, utilized night vision technology and other resources to locate and evacuate individuals from the park. The park’s permit system and vehicle license plates were used to track missing individuals.
Grand Canyon deputy superintendent Brian Drapeaux noted that there might be day hikers unaccounted for as they did not secure permits, thus evading park records. Weather forecasters issued warnings of potential rain and thunderstorms that could trigger more flooding at the popular tourist spot, which had to evacuate numerous visitors after a storm-induced flood in Bright Angel Creek on Saturday.
The flood severely damaged the canyon’s sole water pipeline, prompting emergency water usage restrictions for year-round residents. Tourists were prohibited from lodging at park lodges and hotels due to the damage. Video footage depicted muddy, debris-laden floodwaters carrying remnants of structures and rocks through the canyon, a result of four waves of intense rainfall over two creek drainages during the weekend.
The National Weather Service noted that the area usually receives less than 25 centimeters of rainfall per year on average.
The body of a 46-year-old man was recovered near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River on Sunday evening, as reported by the park service. Another body was also found, according to a statement on the Grand Canyon National Park’s Facebook page, though no further details were provided.
The flash flood destroyed footbridges over the creek and significantly transformed the landscape, widening the creek bed and forming what appeared to be a new river rapid. Popular locations like Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch, and parts of the North Kaibab trail remained closed as park officials evaluated the destruction. Rafting activities on the Colorado River were temporarily suspended.
Hiker Parth Desai recounted witnessing the sudden flooding in Bright Angel Canyon with colleagues and a park ranger, describing waterfalls, mudslides, and boulders disrupting their path. Erica Viola shared her experience at Bright Angel campground, where she and fellow hikers observed the rising creek and debris flow, including what seemed to be a bunkhouse. Both Desai and Viola were airlifted to safety after being stranded due to the flash flood.
The area experienced a rapid influx of 1.2 to 2.5 centimeters of rain within 30 minutes in a rocky region with steep elevation drops. Most of the rainfall quickly drained off, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Justin Johndrow in Flagstaff, Ariz. Johndrow explained that the flooding occurred on the north side of the Grand Canyon as Bright Angel Creek descends from the North Rim to the Colorado River over a significant drop in elevation.