Grand Canyon flash flood leaves 15 missing, 62 evacuated; further storms feared

A powerful flash flood in Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park has left an estimated 15 people missing and at least 62 evacuated, with further storms feared. The flooding struck Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on Saturday following a series of storms. The National Park Service reported that an earlier estimate had put the number of missing or unaccounted-for people at 20, and no injuries had been reported as of Sunday afternoon.

Nevertheless, search and rescue efforts are ongoing, and more evacuations are planned from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch. The flood caused significant damage, destroying nearly all footbridges over Bright Angel Creek and widening the creek bed, creating a new rapid. One hiker described the sudden change in the creek's appearance and flow, leading to their evacuation by helicopter.

The National Park Service has appealed for information about hikers and backpackers who may have been in the affected areas, urging anyone with relevant information to contact its tip line. Further storms are possible, with potential for additional rain and triggering more flash flooding, debris flows, and rockfalls.

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