More rain threatens Grand Canyon search as flood death toll hits two, 15 missing

On Monday, the Grand Canyon faced heavy rainstorms which threatened the ongoing search for more than a dozen people missing since flash floods struck the area over the weekend, according to the National Park Service (NPS). Two bodies had already been recovered, with a second body found on Monday. The NPS warned that impending weather could impact the pace of the search operations.

The floods affected Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch on Saturday, prompting dozens of evacuations and damaging the sole water pipeline serving the area. Eighty percent of the Transcanyon Waterline, a crucial water pipeline from the North Rim to the South Rim, was damaged or destroyed, leading to water restrictions and a ban on wood and charcoal fires in the park's most visited area.

Trails leading into the Canyon remained open, but visitors were warned of potential dangers, including sudden squalls during the Southwest monsoon season. Flash floods are common in Northern Arizona due to the arid, sparsely vegetated environment that struggles to absorb rain. The Grand Canyon, formed by the Colorado River over millions of years, is a popular destination visited by almost five million people last year.