Over the weekend, major flash flooding occurred in parts of Grand Canyon National Park that left two people dead and 15 missing. Heavy rain led to torrents of water in remote areas of the park that prompted emergency evacuations and severely damaged park infrastructure.
What Happened
On Aug. 29, around 2:30 p.m., flash flooding began in the Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch parts of the park. These areas are below the rim and are typically accessible only by foot or mule. Phantom Ranch, the only lodging available below the rim, is a popular area for hikers and equestrians. It offers cabins, dormitories, and meals in a scenic setting. Nearby Bright Angel Campground is home to 30 individual sites and two group campsites.
Authorities worked to evacuate 62 people via helicopters from these areas by the morning of Aug. 30, according to a National Park Service (NPS) press release. None of the evacuees was injured. Floods resulted in “significant impacts to infrastructure throughout Bright Angel Canyon,” including all footbridges.
In response to the damage, park authorities shut down Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch.
The Colorado River, the main waterway that runs through the canyon, is closed to all river rafting groups until further notice. Metal structures and debris flowing through the river pose major hazards.
On Aug. 30, the NPS released a public statement seeking help locating 15 individuals who went missing during the floods the day prior. Staff is asking anyone who knows of people planning to hike or backpack in the Bright Angel Creek area or to stay overnight to contact authorities at 888-653-0009.
Later on Sunday evening, park authorities announced they had recovered the body of a 46-year-old man, the NPS told CBS News. He was found near Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River. On Monday morning, the park announced news of a second death on social media.
Other Aftermath
The flash floods have also severely affected the park’s water infrastructure. The park announced on Aug. 31 that it will implement stage 4 water restrictions. The floods severely damaged the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water from the canyon for use in the park. As a result, all overnight stays in park accommodations are canceled in order to conserve water. This includes stays at the El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Phantom Ranch, Yavapai Lodge, and Trailer Village.
Visitors wishing to camp in the park will not have access to water. All spigots in the South Rim area will be turned off. All fires in the South Rim or the inner canyon are banned.
How Common Is This?
Flash floods can happen quickly and at any time of year in the Grand Canyon, according to the National Park Service. “The arid, sparsely vegetated environments found in this area have little capacity to absorb rainfall. The resulting runoff moves rapidly through the narrow canyons and steep terrain found throughout Northern Arizona. In many areas, even small storms can turn normally dry streambeds into raging torrents of water in a matter of minutes,” the NPS explains.
The park, and the rest of northern and central Arizona, are still under a flash flood warning from the National Weather Service through the evening of Aug. 31. People should avoid visiting slot canyons or dry washes.
“Showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue this afternoon and evening. With deep monsoonal moisture in place and already saturated soils in some locations, an elevated risk of flash flooding will be in place through Monday,” the NWS said in the advisory.
