2 Dead, Over A Dozen Missing In Grand Canyon Flash Flood

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Flash flooding on Aug. 29 turned fatal, killing at least two people with a search underway for over a dozen others. Here, damage to the North Kaibab Trail can be seen. (Photo credit: Grand Canyon National Park / Facebook)

Over the weekend, flash flooding in the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona led to fatal conditions.

Presently, around 15 people are reportedly missing from the flash flood that occurred on Saturday, Aug. 29.

The day after the flood, the remains of a 46-year-old man were found in the Colorado River near the Crystal Rapids, according to CNN.

On Monday, Aug. 31., CNN reported that the body of a second deceased individual was recovered.

Their identities have not yet been released, but the National Park Service (NPS) said on its Facebook page, “Search and recovery efforts continue following the flooding in Grand Canyon National Park.”

A search for missing and unaccounted for individuals is currently being conducted in the inner canyon, near Bright Angel Creek; as well as individuals traveling along the North Kaibab Trail or staying at either the Bright Angel Campground or “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.

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:

See the fast moving water in the Grand Canyon, here:

“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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About the Author

Grant Bromley

Howdy, I’m Grant, a multimedia storyteller and lover of the arts. Whether it’s Copland’s ballet Rodeo or Peckinpah’s iconic Western Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, I have an appreciation for works that engage with the American mythos. Covering news, I help tell the stories that define our shared tomorrow.

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