Up to 15 people unaccounted for after flash flood in Grand Canyon
A powerful flash flood tore through Arizona's Grand Canyon on Saturday, leaving as many as 15 people unaccounted for while more than 60 were evacuated. No injuries have been reported.
A major flash flood struck the Grand Canyon national park in Arizona on Saturday afternoon, causing significant damage around Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch. The National Park Service says as many as 15 people remain missing or unaccounted for, while park staff and the Arizona Department of Public Safety evacuated more than 60 people by Sunday morning.
No injuries had been reported as of Sunday. Authorities said Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail between the North Kaibab Trailhead and Phantom Ranch remain closed until further notice.
Park officials are asking the public to come forward with any information about hikers or backpackers who were in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on Saturday, as well as anyone who held a campground reservation in the affected area.
Bridges destroyed, river closed
Nearly all footbridges crossing Bright Angel Creek were destroyed in the flood. The Colorado River has been closed to river traffic until further notice, as metal structures and debris continue to wash into the waterway.
According to Justin Johndrow, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Flagstaff, between half an inch and one inch (1–2.5cm) of rain fell within roughly 30 minutes over a rocky area with a steep drop in elevation. Much of the rain ran off almost immediately. The flooding occurred on the canyon's north side, where Bright Angel Creek descends from the North Rim to the Colorado River, dropping about 6,000ft (1,800 meters) in elevation.
Forecasters warned that additional rain and thunderstorms could hit the area through Monday.
