Urgent Search Underway at Grand Canyon: 15 Missing After Flash Flood, 1 Confirmed Death

POLICY WIRE — Arizona, USA — Federal and state agencies are intensifying their efforts to locate at least 15 individuals who went missing following a catastrophic flash flood that struck the lower region of the Grand Canyon over the weekend. The flood has claimed the life of one person.

The National Park Service, in collaboration with local rescue teams, is actively searching for the missing visitors. By Sunday, dozens had been evacuated, with several airlifted by helicopter from a remote, vehicle-inaccessible part of the park. Authorities are preparing for another potential round of severe weather conditions.

A 46-year-old man’s body was found at Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River, as announced by the park service on Sunday evening. His identity has not been disclosed. Approximately 7 million people across a vast area of the Southwest, from southern Arizona to northern Colorado, are under a flood watch. This includes the Grand Canyon and extends west into Utah, according to current weather forecasts.

The most critical flood threat is north of the Grand Canyon. Phantom Ranch, a historic lodge at the base of Grand Canyon National Park, and a nearby trail are identified as primary danger zones due to the flooding. All footbridges along Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, cutting off all hiking crossings. Nearby campsites and trails have been closed indefinitely.

Visual evidence depicts torrents of muddy water rushing through lowlands, sweeping away cabins from campsites along with branches and other debris. Evacuated visitors are still processing the traumatic event.

One evacuee reflected on the situation, noting the destruction of the bridge they had crossed, which led to a moment of realization about the potential danger they had faced. Another video captured a visitor on a footbridge observing the unfolding natural disaster.

The park service is appealing to the public for help in identifying anyone who might have been traveling through the affected region. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs expressed her sympathies for the families and friends of those unaccounted for after the Grand Canyon flash flood, via a post on X. She also mentioned that the state Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, along with Coconino County Emergency Management, are supporting the park service in the search efforts.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)