Flash flood in Grand Canyon kills 1, leaves 15 missing; more flooding forecast

State and federal officials intensified search efforts Monday for approximately 15 people missing after a major flash flood swept through the Grand Canyon, killing at least one person.

Weather forecasters warned that rain and thunderstorms could bring additional flooding to the popular tourist attraction, where scores of visitors were evacuated following Saturday's flood in Bright Angel Creek. The deluge also destroyed the canyon's only water pipeline, prompting emergency water restrictions for year-round residents. Tourists have been barred from staying at lodges and hotels inside the park.

Dangers of Summer Monsoon Season

Visiting the Grand Canyon — a crown jewel of the national park system — can be particularly dangerous in summer due to the risk of flash flooding associated with the monsoon, or rainy season. Clear days can quickly give way to thunderstorms and downpours.

"With deep monsoonal moisture in place and already saturated soils in some locations, an elevated risk of flash flooding will be in place through Monday," the National Weather Service said Monday.

Casualties and Rescue Efforts

The body of a 46-year-old man was recovered Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, the National Park Service said without providing further details. More than 60 people were airlifted from the depths of the canyon. The park service has asked anyone with information about hikers or campers still unaccounted for to come forward. The Arizona Department of Public Safety assisted with evacuations Sunday.

"My heart is with the families and loved ones of every person unaccounted for after the flash flooding at the Grand Canyon," Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs posted Sunday.

Hobbs said the state Department of Emergency and Military Affairs was coordinating with the park service and county emergency management officials in search and recovery efforts.

Eyewitness Account

Parth Desai was hiking through a narrow passage in Bright Angel Canyon with fellow physicians and a park ranger when heavy rain began falling Saturday.

"We saw the creek flood, waterfalls coming up out of nowhere, boulders, mud, landslides happening everywhere," he said.

Later, as they made their way toward Phantom Ranch, a colleague shouted "Up, Up, Up, Up!" as a 4-foot (1-meter) debris wall headed toward them. They ran up into a patch of cacti, Desai said. The group was rescued by helicopter late Saturday after reaching the Phantom Ranch area.

Infrastructure Damage

Torrents of water wiped out footbridges over Bright Angel Creek, which runs into the Colorado River, widening the creek bed and extending an existing river rapid — or creating a new one. The flood dealt a major blow to ongoing efforts to modernize the pipeline that serves 6 million visitors annually and roughly 1,600 residents of Grand Canyon Village.

"Heaven help us if the whole thing down there at the bottom has to be reconstructed," said Jack Schmidt, director of the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University. "Where are they going to get the money?"

Previous Incidents

In August 2024, a woman was swept away in a flash flood while hiking in the Havasupai region of the Grand Canyon. Chenoa Nickerson, 33, was found dead after a three-day search.

Water Supply Concerns

Halting overnight stays at the park due to a lack of water is rare, although the pipeline has frequently failed over the years. While the Grand Canyon has large storage tanks for potable water on the South Rim, they will not be refilled while the pipeline remains out of service.

A $208 million rehabilitation of the pipeline and upgrades to the associated water delivery system began in 2023, with the park service calling it a crucial investment to ensure the park can meet the needs of residents and visitors. The project was expected to be completed next year.

Stengle reported from Dallas. Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina; Holly Ramer in Concord, New Hampshire; Felicia Fonseca in Flagstaff, Arizona; and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.