Daijiworld Media Network - Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park, Aug 31: More than 20 people are reportedly missing or unaccounted for after a powerful flash flood swept through Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area of the Grand Canyon in the United States, triggering a major rescue and evacuation operation.
The National Park Service (NPS) said the flash flood struck on Saturday, August 29, at around 2:30 pm in Bright Angel Creek, which flows into the Colorado River. Torrents of water swept away footbridges and carried large boulders, metal structures and other debris into the river, significantly altering parts of the canyon.
The NPS has appealed to the public for information about people who may have been hiking or backpacking in the affected area, including those travelling along the North Kaibab Trail, staying at Bright Angel Campground or travelling through the area known as the Box north of Phantom Ranch. Officials said more than 20 people were initially believed to be missing or unaccounted for.
The park service, working with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, has been evacuating people from the affected areas and trying to establish the whereabouts of those who may have been caught in the flooding. By Sunday morning, 62 people had been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail, with further evacuations planned from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch. No injuries had been reported at that stage.
The flooding occurred after intense rainfall in the steep canyon terrain. National Weather Service meteorologist Justin Johndrow said around half an inch to one inch of rain fell within approximately 30 minutes. Much of the rainfall ran off almost immediately because of the area's rocky terrain and steep elevation drop.
The flood caused extensive damage to infrastructure. Nearly all footbridges crossing Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, leaving hikers without normal access across the creek. The NPS said crews were continuing to assess damage to trails, bridges, utilities, facilities and other infrastructure.
The Colorado River through the affected area has also been closed to river traffic after metal structures and debris were swept into the water. Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the North Kaibab Trail between the North Kaibab Trailhead and Phantom Ranch have been closed until further notice. The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge crossings over the Colorado River have also been shut.
Survivor Erica Viola told The Associated Press that she was at Bright Angel Campground when heavy rain began on Saturday afternoon. She and around 50 other hikers watched the creek rise rapidly before debris began rushing past, including what appeared to be part of a bunkhouse. The group was subsequently evacuated by helicopter.
The flooding has also damaged the Transcanyon Waterline, an important system supplying water to the park. The NPS said the waterline was not operational following the flood, leaving the park with limited water reserves. Stage 4 water restrictions are due to take effect on the South Rim from Monday, Aug 31, with overnight hotel accommodation closures also planned as authorities seek to conserve available water.
Park authorities have warned that additional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall could occur through Monday, raising the possibility of further flash floods, debris flows, rockfalls and rapidly changing trail and river conditions.
The latest developments indicate the disaster is more serious than an initial evacuation operation, with authorities now focused on locating people who remain unaccounted for while continuing damage assessments and emergency evacuations.
The incident has forced the closure of several of the Grand Canyon's popular inner-canyon destinations and temporarily halted rafting activity on the Colorado River.