Flash Flood Prompts Evacuation of Dozens at Grand Canyon’s Bright Angel Creek

FLAGSTAFF, Arizona – A sudden flash flood in the Grand Canyon forced the evacuation of dozens of visitors and carried large boulders, metal debris and other material into the Colorado River, according to the National Park Service.
The surge occurred in Bright Angel Creek, a tributary that feeds the river, on Saturday afternoon, leaving officials searching for 15 individuals who may be missing or unaccounted for. The torrent destroyed footbridges across the creek, reshaped the channel, widened the streambed and created what appeared to be a new rapid.
While park personnel work to account for everyone in the area, they are urging anyone with information about hikers or campers in the vicinity to come forward. The Park Service said it is coordinating with the Arizona Department of Public Safety to continue evacuation efforts through Sunday.
“This event underscores how dynamic and ever‑changing the Grand Canyon landscape can be,” remarked Jack Schmidt, director of the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University.
Popular destinations such as Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch and sections of the North Kaibab trail remained closed on Sunday as crews assessed the damage, the park noted. Rafting operations on the Colorado River have been temporarily suspended.
More than 60 people were evacuated from Phantom Ranch, which features a historic canteen and dormitory facilities and serves as a common launch and landing point for river rafters. Additional evacuations were planned for Sunday, and no injuries have been reported.
Erica Viola, who was staying at Bright Angel Campground when the rain began Saturday afternoon, said she and roughly 50 other hikers watched the creek swell and debris — including what resembled a bunkhouse — rush downstream. The group was airlifted to safety, cutting her trip short by two days.
Between 0.5 and 1 inch (1–2.5 cm) of rain fell in roughly half an hour over the steep terrain, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Justin Johndrow of Flagstaff.
“Most of the precipitation ran off immediately,” Johndrow observed.
He added that the flash flood occurred on the canyon’s north side, where Bright Angel Creek descends from the North Rim to the Colorado River, a drop of about 6,000 feet (1,828 meters).
Forecasts indicate further rain and thunderstorms may affect the region into Monday.

Source link