At least 15 people may be missing after flash flood in Arizona’s Grand Canyon
Dozens evacuated after flash-flood event near Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch, officials say At least 15 people may be missing or unaccounted for after a major flash flood swept through the Grand Canyon national park in Arizona on Saturday afternoon, according to the National Park Service. The flash-flood event occurred in the area of Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch, where park…
Dozens of individuals were evacuated following a flash-flood event near Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch in Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday afternoon, according to the National Park Service. The flash-flood occurred in the vicinity of Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch, leading to the evacuation of over 60 people by Sunday morning, reported the National Park Service.
No injuries had been reported at that time, according to a statement from the National Park Service. The statement further explained that Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen, and cabins, along with the entire North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch, had been closed until further notice.
Park officials revealed the number of people still missing or unaccounted for in a subsequent statement, urging the public to inform the government agency about any information they may possess regarding "hikers or backpackers who were in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor" on Saturday, as well as "anyone who had a campground reservation in the affected corridor".
The majority of footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek had been destroyed, stated officials, and the Colorado River was closed to river traffic pending further notice as metal structures and debris entered the river. Justin Johndrow, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Flagstaff, informed the Associated Press that approximately half an inch to 1 inch of rain fell within a span of 30 minutes in the rugged terrain where there was a steep decline in elevation.
He explained that most of the rainfall ran off instantly. Johndrow mentioned that the flooding took place on the north side of the Grand Canyon, where Bright Angel Creek flows from the North Rim to the Colorado River, descending approximately 6,000 feet (1,800 meters). The meteorologist also stated that additional rain and thunderstorms were possible in the area into Monday.
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