Urgent search underway for more than a dozen people after Grand Canyon flash flood

Grand Canyon National Park is battling a major flood that struck the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch area on August 29, leaving more than a dozen people unaccounted for and prompting a fresh evacuation effort.

The flash flood was triggered by intense thunderstorms that dumped heavy rain over the canyon’s interior. Footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were largely destroyed, cutting off one of the main routes into the heart of the park. As a result, park officials evacuated 62 people by Sunday morning while authorities searched for an additional 15 individuals who may have been caught in the affected corridor.

“We are still trying to identify those who may have been traveling on the North Kaibab Trail between the North Kaibab Trailhead and Phantom Ranch, staying at Bright Angel Campground, or moving through an area known as “the Box” north of Phantom Ranch,” said the National Park Service (NPS). The agency has not released specifics about whether the missing are hikers, campers, or other visitors.

Arizona Department of Public Safety is working alongside NPS personnel to continue evacuations and response operations. “Additional evacuations are planned today,” the park announced, noting that more thunderstorms and heavy rain are possible over the coming days, which could increase the risk of further flash flooding, debris flows, and rockfall.

Park officials have issued a public call for information. Anyone who saw hikers or backpackers in the inner canyon along Bright Angel Creek on August 29, or who held a campground reservation in the affected area, is urged to contact investigators. Those with tips can reach the NPS Investigative Services Branch Tip Line at 888‑653‑0009 or email nps_isb@nps.gov.

The NPS remains on alert as the weather outlook continues to show unsettled conditions over the Grand Canyon region. Visitors and residents are advised to stay informed of park alerts and to heed any evacuation orders.