One person has died, and 15 remain missing after flash flooding swept through the Grand Canyon on Saturday. The National Park Service (NPS) said the storm hit Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area, wiping out footbridges and hurling boulders downstream.
The flood was caused by monsoon showers that bring warm, moist air from the Gulf of California and the tropical Pacific. The dry ground turned every rainfall into a powerful torrent, making the Colorado River dangerous overnight.
Nikki Baggs, 41, was among the 62 hikers airlifted out of the canyon that night. She described the scene as "terrifying," recalling how the sudden wave swept through the area after they were heading back from Phantom Ranch.
Baggs said she and her friends had left their belongings at a cabin in Phantom Ranch and were ready to enjoy the day when the rain hit. They moved to higher ground, staying at a picnic table before being commanded by park rangers to move to another ledge. After waiting for hours, they were evacuated around 21:30 local time (04:30 GMT).
The body of a 46‑year‑old man was recovered near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River on Sunday evening, according to the NPS.
"It was a really uniquely coordinated effort," Baggs said. "That’s what made us feel safe in an unsafe situation."
The flood has caused significant damage in the park, including the destruction of footbridges. Trails in the affected area are closed, and overnight guest lodgings on the South Rim have been suspended until further notice because of extensive damage to the water infrastructure.
National Weather Service watches for flash flooding cover large parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. Meteorologists warn that the storm season, which lasts until the end of September, could bring additional heavy rains, debris flows, rockfall and changing trail and river conditions.
The NPS is actively seeking updates on the 15 people thought to be missing or unaccounted for and is asking anyone who knows of hikers or backpackers in the inner canyon corridor to get in touch.
