Two dead, 15 missing after Grand Canyon flash floods

A deadly flash flood swept through the Grand Canyon, leaving survivors recounting their harrowing escape. Scott Svedin, a survivor, described the experience as "like something out of a movie." He and Gabriel Bergemann, along with David Gregory, were backpacking in the Grand Canyon when disaster struck on Saturday afternoon. The trio was advised to cross a footbridge over a raging creek to higher ground.

However, just ten minutes after crossing, a wall of water engulfed them, washing away the bridge. Bergemann lamented that if they hadn't been evacuated in time, many lives might not have been saved. Gregory noted the increasing water level in the creek they crossed, expressing concern for anyone who might have fallen in. The Grand Canyon National Park Service confirmed that a second body had been recovered, and a search continued for 14 missing individuals.

Among those unaccounted for was Dr. John Guisti, a New York chiropractor who was hiking with a group when the flood occurred. Over 60 people were air evacuated from the park's Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail. The flood hit around 2:30 p.m. local time during a monsoonal downpour that triggered a significant flash-flood event.

Survivors Erica Viola and Scott Svedin were camping at Bright Angel Campground when they were instructed to evacuate immediately. They recounted running through knee-deep water and mud, desperately trying to reach safety. Viola emphasized the chaos as they ran, with people yelling "Run, Run, Run" and the water turning the creek they crossed into a raging river.

Once they reached the footbridge, it was destroyed by the torrent of floodwater, leaving them stranded. Viola also mentioned losing most of her belongings in the flooding. The Grand Canyon National Park Service revealed that the flooding caused extensive damage to infrastructure in the inner canyon, including the Transcanyon Waterline.

This water supply system for the park was left without operational functionality, resulting in limited water reserves. Consequently, all overnight guest lodging and concessions within the park were suspended.