A catastrophic flash flood in Grand Canyon National Park has left authorities and families grappling with the possibility that over 20 individuals are missing or unaccounted for. The sudden deluge, triggered by intense thunderstorms, unleashed a surge of mud and debris through the park's Bright Angel Canyon on Saturday afternoon.
In just an hour, the severe storms dumped more than an inch of rain atop recently burned areas, leading to the rapid flooding. The floodwaters rose to over 5 feet in just 10 minutes, overwhelming bridges across Bright Angel Creek and prompting the closure of the popular Bright Angel Trail. The National Park Service (NPS) issued a flash flood watch that extended through Monday, warning of continued danger from heavy rainfall in Arizona and Utah.
On Sunday morning, the NPS reported that 62 campers and hikers had been airlifted out of the affected area. However, as of Sunday afternoon, there remained a grim possibility that more than 20 individuals may be missing. The NPS and the Arizona Department of Public Safety are working tirelessly to account for everyone who could have been in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on August 29, including those who had campsite reservations in the affected area.
The park has been hit hard by recent natural disasters. The Dragon Bravo Fire, which raged through the Grand Canyon's North Rim last year, destroyed a historic lodge and altered the landscape, making it more susceptible to debris flows during heavy rain. The park service's assessment of the burn scar last summer identified "debris flow risk is localized to steep, confined drainages, like Dragon Creek and upper Bright Angel Creek."
The sudden downpour on Saturday afternoon far exceeded the National Weather Service's flash flood guidance for the Grand Canyon. A weather station on Bright Angel Creek recorded 1.17 inches of rain between 2 and 3 p.m., prompting the issuance of a flash flood warning. The National Weather Service also warned of a slight risk of excessive rainfall capable of triggering flash flooding in the Four Corners region on Monday and a moderate risk in south-central Utah.
As the search for missing individuals continues, the NPS has closed Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel campground, the Phantom Ranch canteen, and cabins, as well as the North Kaibab Trail. The Colorado River has also been shut down to traffic due to metal structures and other debris in the waterway. The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge crossings over the Colorado River have been closed as well.
Park officials have warned that additional closures in the inner canyon may be necessary as the threat of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall persists. Cell phone service in much of Northern Arizona is already difficult to maintain, and satellite phones are being tested with some success in areas outside the narrowest portions of the canyon.
The Grand Canyon community is grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event, hoping for the safe return of all missing individuals and expressing gratitude to the NPS and other emergency personnel for their tireless efforts.
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