2 Dead, 1 Person Remains Missing In Grand Canyon Flash Flood
on • Updated
Over the weekend, on Saturday, Aug. 29, flash flooding in the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona led to fatal conditions, with two people confirmed dead as of Monday, Aug. 31.
Immediately following the flash flood, there were approximately 15 people declared missing.
Now, on Tuesday, Sept. 1, the National Park Service (NPS) reports that all of the unaccounted for individuals have been safely located except one.
The missing individual, CBS News reports, is a man named Timothy Allen Smith.
Smith was camping with the two individuals who have been confirmed dead in the flooding: 46-year-old Dr. John Giusti, whose body was found on Sunday; and 42-year-old Brent Rosencrantz, whose body was found on Monday.
NPS said on its Facebook page, “Search and recovery efforts continue following the flooding in Grand Canyon National Park.”
NPS’ search for Smith comes as it continues its fourth day of searching in severely affected areas of the Grand Canyon, such as the inner canyon, near Bright Angel Creek; as well as along the North Kaibab Trail; the Bright Angel Campground; and “the Box” north of Phantom Ranch.
In an Aug. 30 press release, NPS stated:
“62 individuals have been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail. Additional individuals are scheduled to be evacuated this morning from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch in coordination with the National Park Service and Arizona Department of Public Safety.”
Notably, among those who were evacuated, no injuries were reported.
As of Sept. 1, CBS News reports that the number of safely evacuated people is now 82.
On Aug. 31, NPS shared that “preliminary assessments indicate approximately 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline was damaged or destroyed.”
Due to high waters and debris, access to the Colorado River is closed to the public, the NPS announced on Aug. 30. Two bridges crossing the Colorado River — the Black Bridge and Silver Bridge — are closed as well.
Similarly, Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and all of North Kaibab Trail from its Trailhead to the Phantom Ranch have been closed until further notice.
NPS noted that all of the footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed by the floodwaters.
See eyewitness footage of the damage in the Grand Canyon from the flooding, here:
BREAKING: At least 20 people may be missing for after significant flash flooding at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona; more than 60 people have already been evacuated, park officials say. pic.twitter.com/iXFzXsLROW
— Scope Report (@ScopeReport_) August 30, 2026
See the fast moving water in the Grand Canyon, here:
additional video released by the national park service shows bright angel creek flash flooding near the phantom ranch ranger station in the grand canyon saturday evening. 15 people remain unaccounted for. https://t.co/d1DfTDmFFq pic.twitter.com/TJG5ZFxUYA
— Michael Rusch (@weeddude) August 31, 2026
“Additional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are possible today and Monday, which could result in additional flash flooding, debris flows, rockfall and changing trail and river conditions,” NPS said.
The National Park Service advises that if you know of anyone who is unaccounted for and may have been hiking or backpacking in the Grand Canyon during the flash flood, the NPS Investigative Services Branch Tip Line may be reached by calling (888) 653-0009.
This is a developing story.
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