Grand Canyon search continues for 15 missing after flash flood destruction, 1 death

Federal and state authorities on Monday were still searching for some 15 missing hikers and backpackers after a devastating flash flood pummeled through the lower edge of the Grand Canyon over the weekend, killing at least two people.

The National Park Service and local rescue agencies were searching for the visitors after evacuating dozens of visitors by Sunday, including several who were rescued by helicopter from a remote section of the park that is inaccessible by vehicle. The ramped-up search efforts come as authorities braced for another round of potentially ruinous climate conditions, officials said.

The body of a 46-year-old man was recovered from Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River, the park service said Sunday evening. Officials have not released his name.

It was not immediately clear when the second body was found. That victim’s details were not released.

About 7 million people were under a flood watch Monday, covering a massive swath of the Southwest from southern Arizona to northern Colorado. The area at risk includes the Grand Canyon and stretches west into Utah, according to current weather projections.

The most severe threat of flooding was in an area just north of the Grand Canyon.

Phantom Ranch, a historic lodge at the bottom of Grand Canyon National Park, and a nearby trail were considered primary danger zones after the flooding. Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground and a large section of the North Kaibab Trail were closed on Monday, and as much as 40 percent of the Transcanyon Waterline had been impacted, officials said.

The 12 1/2-mile pipeline is the park’s main water supply system and much of it was damaged or destroyed. Administrators said there was damage to the Transcanyon Waterline “leaving the park with limited water reserves.”

As a result, campgrounds were without water, and fires were prohibited starting Monday. “Visitors and residents are asked to conserve water as the park assesses flood damage and works to stabilize the water system,” NPS wrote on X.

Park service officials said that all footbridges along Bright Angel Creek were destroyed in the major flooding event that began Saturday, eliminating all crossings for hikers. Campsites and hiking paths in the vicinity were closed until further notice.

Images show rivers of muddy water barreling through lowlands, carrying cabins away from campsites, along with branches and other debris.

Evacuated visitors were still reeling from the experience.

David Gregory told NBC News that he crossed a footbridge to safety from Phantom Ranch before the structure was wrecked by the flooding. He was then airlifted out of the area.

“It was kind of crazy hearing after that the bridge that we crossed was wiped out, kind of makes you think that maybe we should have been in more of a panic,” he said after he was taken to safety with about 50 others.

Another video showed a male visitor on a footbridge marveling at the natural disaster under his feet.

The park service was asking for the public’s assistance in identifying anyone who may have been traveling through the affected area.

“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 wrote on X.

Hobbs said that the state Department of Emergency and Military Affairs and Coconino County Emergency Management were assisting the park service in its search.