Grand Canyon, Ariz., en.SERU.co.id — A major flash flood struck Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona on Saturday, August 29, 2026, sending a powerful surge of water, mud and debris through the canyon.
The National Park Service said thunderstorms dropped about 0.5 to 1 inch of rain in roughly 30 minutes over rocky terrain and recently burned areas. Floodwaters rose more than five feet in about 10 minutes in some locations, destroying nearly all footbridges across Bright Angel Creek and carrying large boulders, metal structures and other debris into the Colorado River.
By Sunday, 62 people had been evacuated by helicopter from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail. Further evacuations were conducted from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch. No injuries were reported among the evacuees, according to the National Park Service.
Search Underway for Missing Hikers
The National Park Service initially said more than 20 people were unaccounted for before revising the figure to approximately 15 on Sunday afternoon.
Officials asked anyone with information about hikers or backpackers who were in the Bright Angel Creek corridor on August 29 to contact the agency’s Investigative Services Branch.
Reports also said the body of a 46-year-old man was recovered Sunday near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River. Authorities had not publicly identified the individual.
Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the North Kaibab Trail between the trailhead and Phantom Ranch, the Black Bridge and Silver Bridge remain closed until further notice. The Colorado River is also closed to river traffic because of debris.
Erica Viola, who was camping at Bright Angel Campground, described the scene to ABC News:
“We just heard people yell, ‘Run, run, run!’ And there’s 40 of us running through this deep, muddy water, trying to make it to the bridge. Once we got to the bridge, that’s when this 15-foot wall of water came through the campground in Phantom Ranch and just wiped out all the bridges in the creek.” She and her husband, Scott Svedin, said they saw bunkhouses, grills, and an excavator float into the Colorado River.
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Flooding Damages Water System
The flooding damaged the Transcanyon Waterline, prompting Stage 4 water restrictions across the South Rim beginning Monday, August 31.
Overnight lodging at several South Rim facilities was also closed, while day-use areas, food services, the clinic and post office continued operating.
The National Park Service warned that additional thunderstorms could bring more flash flooding, debris flows and rockfall. Park crews are continuing to assess damage to trails, bridges, utilities and other infrastructure.
No reopening date has been announced for the affected areas.
