The Grand Canyon was hit by a severe flash flood over the weekend, leading to the discovery of the bodies of a Texas chiropractor and another individual. With heavy rain enveloping the canyon walls, there are concerns about potential additional flooding. Around 80 individuals were rescued during the flood, and authorities are trying to locate one missing person.
Incident Cmdr. Dave Black mentioned that night vision and other tools were utilized to identify individuals requiring evacuation from the park. By leveraging the park’s permit system and cross-checking vehicle license plates, officials tracked the number of missing persons. Grand Canyon deputy superintendent Brian Drapeaux highlighted that there might be day hikers who did not obtain permits and therefore were not listed as missing by the park.
Weather experts issued warnings about more rainfall and thunderstorms that could trigger further flooding at the popular tourist site. Following the storm-driven flood in Bright Angel Creek on Saturday, numerous visitors were evacuated from the area. The flood severely damaged the sole water pipeline in the canyon, resulting in emergency water use restrictions for permanent residents. Additionally, tourists have been prohibited from lodging in the park’s lodges and hotels.
Videos captured the forceful muddy floodwaters carrying debris and remnants of structures through the canyon. The National Weather Service reported four waves of heavy rainfall across two creek drainages during the weekend, causing rapid flash flooding. On average, the region receives less than 25 centimeters of rain per year.
Authorities recovered the body of a 46-year-old man near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, while a second body was also found, as announced by the Grand Canyon National Park on Facebook. The flood destroyed footbridges over the creek and altered the landscape significantly, creating what appeared to be a new river rapid.
Popular tourist destinations like Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch, and parts of the North Kaibab trail remained closed for assessment purposes. Rafting activities on the Colorado River have been temporarily suspended. Hikers recounted their experiences during the flood, with dramatic encounters and swift evacuations taking place to ensure their safety.
The rapid rainfall in the rocky terrain caused significant runoff, leading to flooding on the north side of the Grand Canyon. Bright Angel Creek’s descent from the North Rim to the Colorado River contributed to the intense flooding scenario.