A devastating surge of chocolate-brown water swept through Grand Canyon National Park following intense rainfall over the Kaibab Plateau. The National Park Service (NPS) and local rescue agencies are actively searching for approximately 15 people who remain unaccounted for after a massive flash flood tore through Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area.
The sudden wall of muddy water struck Bright Angel Creek, rushing down a 6,000-foot descent toward the Colorado River and carrying massive boulders, fallen trees, and structural debris.
Mass Evacuations: Search and rescue teams successfully airlifted over 60 hikers and campers out of affected spots, including Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail.
Severe Infrastructure Damage: Nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were completely destroyed. The sheer force of the flood widened the creek bed, created new river rapids, and severely damaged the park’s primary water pipeline.
Accommodation Closures: Due to pipeline damage, park officials have suspended overnight stays at lodges and hotels inside the park starting Monday and urged all residents and visitors to conserve water.
Rescue efforts remain underway as the NPS works with the Arizona Department of Public Safety to locate missing visitors. Park officials are urging anyone who had friends or family hiking along the North Kaibab Trail or camping in the Bright Angel area to contact the park’s tip line immediately. With additional rain forecast for the region, authorities warn that additional flash floods and rockfalls could occur.
