A major flash flood has triggered an urgent search operation at Arizona’s Grand Canyon after powerful flooding swept through Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on August 29.
According to the National Park Service, 62 people have already been evacuated, but officials are still trying to account for more than 20 people who may have been in the affected area when the flooding struck.
The disaster caused extensive damage, with nearly all footbridges across Bright Angel Creek reportedly destroyed. Park crews and the Arizona Department of Public Safety are continuing evacuations and searching for people who may have been caught along the North Kaibab Trail, Bright Angel Campground and an area known as “the Box.”
Officials are also warning that additional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall could bring more flash floods, debris flows and rockfalls to the region.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about hikers or campers in the area to come forward.
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