On Saturday afternoon, a flash flood swept through the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas of the Grand Canyon National Park. The National Park Service (NPS) initially reported over 20 people missing but revised the figure to approximately 15 by Sunday afternoon. By Sunday morning, 62 individuals had been airlifted from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail. No injuries or fatalities have been reported, and additional evacuations were planned from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch, with evacuees being taken to the Maswik Lodge Cafeteria on the South Rim where the American Red Cross is assisting.
The flooding, which began around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, caused widespread damage, particularly in Bright Angel Canyon. Nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, cutting off hiker access. Infrastructure damage has also been reported in the Phantom Ranch areas. Park staff are currently assessing the extent of damage to trails, bridges, utilities, and other facilities.
In response to the flood, several areas have been closed indefinitely, including Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch. The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge crossing the Colorado River are also closed, and the Colorado River itself is shut down to river traffic due to metal structures and debris washing into the water. The NPS is asking for information on anyone who was in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on August 29 or had a campground reservation in that area, providing a tip line and email for investigators.
