Search and rescue operations are underway in Grand Canyon National Park after devastating flash floods left approximately 15 people missing and forced the emergency evacuation of dozens of others. The sudden deluge struck on Saturday afternoon, ripping through Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area with such intensity that large boulders and metal structures were swept directly into the Colorado River. Park officials, working alongside the Arizona Department of Public Safety, are currently trying to account for every hiker and backpacker who may have been caught in the path of the water.

The destruction to the park’s infrastructure is extensive, with nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek completely destroyed. This loss of access has effectively cut off pedestrian routes and led to the closure of several key landmarks, including the North Kaibab Trail and the Phantom Ranch Canteen. Beyond the immediate danger to visitors, the floods crippled the Transcanyon Waterline, leaving the park with limited water reserves and forcing staff to implement strict conservation measures until repairs can be made.

Meteorologists note that while only about an inch of rain fell during a brief thirty minute window, the steep terrain caused almost all of it to run off instantly, creating a wall of water. At least 62 people have already been evacuated from these high risk zones. Authorities are now pleading with anyone who had friends or family hiking near the Bright Angel Campground or in an area known as the Box to contact them immediately to help refine the list of those still unaccounted for.

As recovery efforts continue, residents and tourists alike are being warned that the danger is far from over. With deep monsoonal moisture saturating the soil, a flood watch remains in effect for much of northern and central Arizona. Forecasters have cautioned that upcoming thunderstorms could trigger additional debris flows and raging currents in narrow slot canyons, serving as a stark reminder of how quickly this iconic landscape can turn deadly.