FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A violent and sudden flash flood tore through Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park, destroying historic infrastructure, stranding hikers, and leaving at least 15 to 20 people missing or unaccounted for.
The disaster unfolded Saturday afternoon following localized torrential downpours over the North Rim watershed. Between half an inch and an inch of rain plummeted onto the steep, rocky terrain in roughly 30 minutes, triggering an immediate and catastrophic runoff down Bright Angel Creek.
Raging Torrents and Dramatic Rescues
The resulting wall of muddy water, boulders, and debris surged through the inner canyon corridor toward Phantom Ranch and the Colorado River. Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes as the dry creek bed transformed into a violent torrent within minutes.
"We saw waterfalls coming up out of nowhere, boulders, mud, landslides happening everywhere," said hiker Parth Desai, who had to scramble to higher ground as a wall of debris approached.
Working alongside the Arizona Department of Public Safety, National Park Service crews launched emergency air-evacuation operations, successfully airlifting more than 60 stranded visitors and campers to safety by Sunday morning. No immediate injuries were reported among those rescued.
Extensive Infrastructure Damage and Closures
The force of the flash flood caused extensive damage to inner-canyon infrastructure. Nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were completely wiped out, and major crossings over the Colorado River—including the Black Bridge and Silver Bridge—were shut down. Debris flows choked the main channel of the Colorado River, prompting authorities to temporarily halt all river and rafting traffic.
The National Park Service has closed Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and the entire North Kaibab Trail until further notice.
Urgent Appeal for Information
Authorities are urgently seeking the public's assistance to locate hikers, backpackers, and campers who may have been in the Bright Angel Creek corridor, "the Box," or along the North Kaibab Trail when the storm struck.
Anyone with information regarding missing persons is encouraged to contact the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch.
With additional thunderstorms forecasted for the region, park officials have warned that recovery operations may face further delays.
.png)
The opinions posted here do not belong to 🔰www.indiansdaily.com. The author is solely responsible for the opinions.
As per the IT policy of the Central Government, insults against an individual, community, religion or country, defamatory and inflammatory remarks, obscene and vulgar language are punishable offenses. Legal action will be taken for such expressions of opinion.