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15 hikers missing after Grand Canyon flash flood
BBC News··31 Aug
About 15 people are thought to be missing after flash flooding hit Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch on Saturday. The National Park Service said 62 people have been airlifted out. NPS initially estimated more than 20 people were unaccounted for, then revised the figure to approximately 15. Further storms with rainfall up to 1 inch per hour remain possible.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Hikers in the area may face closed trails and delayed evacuations until rangers clear damaged footbridges over Bright Angel Creek.
- Visitors planning Grand Canyon trips should check National Park Service alerts before entering Bright Angel Canyon or Phantom Ranch.
- Anyone who saw hikers in the affected areas can contact the National Park Service tip line with information.
What's Happening
- Flash flooding struck around 14:30 local time on Saturday in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area.
- Nearly all footbridges over Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, cutting off access for hikers in the canyon.
- Search and rescue efforts were continuing on Sunday, with more evacuations planned from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch.
Canyon Flash Flood Rescue Basics
- Bright Angel Canyon sits within Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, a major hiking destination.
- The National Park Service initially said more than 20 people were missing, then revised the estimate to approximately 15.
- Rainfall rates of up to 1 inch per hour were recorded in parts of the canyon during the storms.
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