Grand Canyon flash flooding: More than 20 unaccounted for after Bright Angel Canyon flood

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. - Update as of Aug. 31: Only one person is considered missing following the flash floods.

At least one person is dead and more than 20 people may be missing or unaccounted for following significant flash flooding in Bright Angel Canyon on Saturday. The National Park Service (NPS) is asking for the public’s help to get information on hikers in the area when the storms hit.

What we know:

The flooding began around 2:30 p.m. and caused widespread damage, washing out trails and destroying nearly every footbridge spanning Bright Angel Creek.

Officials identified a 46-year-old man, who was found near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River on Aug. 30. The Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office is onsite.

What you can do:

The NPS is asking for information on hikers in the Bright Angel Creek Corridor on Aug. 29, including those traveling North Kaibab Trail, staying at Bright Angel Campground or Cottonwood Campground, or traveling through "the Box" north of Phantom Ranch.

What they're saying:

Park officials said 62 people were rescued from Phantom Ranch and the Lower North Kaibab Trail. David Gregory, a visitor from Dallas, Texas, was with friends when the flooding hit, and was one of the dozens who had to be airlifted from the national park by the NPS and Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS). 

Gregory said he was stunned by how quickly conditions went from calm to chaos. 

"It changed very quickly from kind of a peaceful setting to 'maybe get your stuff together' to 'Hey, we got to go. We don't have time," he said.

After a day of hiking, Gregory was expected to stay the night at Phantom Ranch, until the weather turned, and everything changed.

"That little cell came in. It rained on us for 30 minutes, went away, and all of a sudden the creek was out of control, and we had to get out of there quickly," he said.

About 30 others were ushered across a bridge to higher ground, and away from the ranch, just minutes before floodwaters swept through the area.

"There's nothing left of that bridge," he said. "There's just like a stone part on one side and the stone part on the other side. And everything in between was washed out."

Several areas remain closed while crews assess damage to facilities. There is no estimated timeline for when the trails will reopen.

Area closures until further notice

• Phantom Ranch
• Bright Angel Campground
• Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins
• Entire North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch
• The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge crossing the Colorado River
• Colorado River due to metal structures and debris entering the river

Dig deeper:

Anyone who may know of hikers or backpackers that were in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on Aug. 29, and anyone who had a campground reservation in that area, is asked to contact NPS' Investigative Service Brance (ISB) at 888-653-0009 or email nsp_isb@nps.gov. Officials ask that information includes the individuals' names, approximate location, travel plans, group size, clothing or backpack description, and when they were last known to be in the area.

This also includes people who traveled along the North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch, staying at Bright Angel Campground, or traveling or staying in the area known as "the Box" north of Phantom Ranch. 

"We saw like, all the construction equipment, like cabins and ice chests," Gregory said. "All kinds of things floating in the Colorado River, you know, manmade stuff  in the river, in addition to all the logs and the debris." 

Gregory considers himself an avid hiker and has visited the Grand Canyon multiple times, but he says it was the quick action and knowledge of park rangers that helped get him and others to safety in time.

"A lot of times it could be raining five, 10 miles away and you don't even realize it," he said. "I'm very grateful for the Park Service and for the park ranger kind of creating a sense of urgency about 'we need to move and we need to move now."

Evacuees Supported:

The American Red Cross said five specialized volunteers were on the ground supporting evacuees.

"They were there yesterday and through the night last night, and they are going to continue to be there as the response continues," said Asher Furedy of the American Red Cross.

More Potential Devastation:

The NPS said heavy rainfall is possible on Aug. 30 and Aug. 31, potentially causing additional flash flooding, debris flows and rock falls.

"Let's pray for all the people that are still missing," Gregory said. 

The flooding also caused damage to the Transcanyon Waterline and the National Weather Service says the park is under Stage 4 water restrictions. They're asking visitors and residents to conserve water.

What you can do:

On Aug. 30, officials with the National Park Service asked the public to "provide information for approximately 15 individuals who may be missing or unaccounted for following a significant flash-flood event in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on August 29."

"The National Park Service is asking anyone who knows of hikers or backpackers who were in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on August 29, as well as anyone who had a campground reservation in the affected corridor, to provide information to the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB). This includes individuals who may have been traveling along the North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch, staying at Bright Angel Campground, or traveling or staying in the area known as "the Box" north of Phantom Ranch," read a portion of the statement.

Those with information can call 888-653-0009.

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