A flash flood swept through the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas of Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday, leaving at least 15 people potentially missing or unaccounted for as evacuation and emergency response efforts continue.

 

The flooding occurred at around 2:30 p.m., sending large amounts of water, mud, rocks and debris through Bright Angel Creek and into the Colorado River. The force of the water also destroyed several pedestrian bridges and caused significant damage to trails and other infrastructure.

 

The National Park Service reported that 62 people were airlifted from Phantom Ranch and surrounding areas. As of the latest official update, no injuries had been reported.

 

Authorities have closed Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground and portions of the North Kaibab Trail, along with several bridges in the affected area. The NPS is asking the public for information to help locate hikers and campers who were in the Bright Angel Creek corridor on Saturday.

 

The agency also warned that storms, heavy rain, flash flooding, debris flows and rockfalls could occur Sunday and Monday.

 

Evacuation and search efforts remain underway as authorities assess the extent of the damage and work to determine the whereabouts of those who have not yet been located.

 

🇺🇸 Autoridades de Arizona buscan a más de 20 personas desaparecidas tras repentina inundación en el Gran Cañón. pic.twitter.com/Cwc7CuGaR5

— Alerta Mundial (@AlertaMundoNews) August 30, 2026

 

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