Border patrol to join Grand Canyon flood rescue effort as search continues for missing hiker

U.S. Border Patrol officials said a technical search team will be sent to Grand Canyon National Park to help locate at least one missing hiker following a flash flood that struck the area over the weekend. The flood, which swept through Bright Angel Creek and the nearby campground, has so far resulted in two confirmed deaths – chiropractor John Giusti, 46, and martial-arts studio owner Brent Rosenkranz, 42 – and the disappearance of their friend, pilot Timothy Smith, 53.

Nearly 80 visitors have been rescued since the 30-minute downpour on Saturday. Incident commander Dave Black told reporters that search crews are using night-vision equipment and other tools, and that “as of right now, they have no reason to believe, from the tips we’ve been through so far, that there’s anybody besides the one” missing person.

Authorities warned that additional heavy rain and thunderstorms could trigger further debris flows, flash floods, or rock falls. Park officials are monitoring the situation closely, checking permits and vehicle license plates to account for all visitors.

Hydroclimatologist A. Park Williams of UCLA noted that this year’s monsoon season is intensified by a strong El Niño, which increases atmospheric water vapor and can amplify storm intensity. He added that climate-related factors such as drought, wildfire-scarred terrain, and rising Pacific Ocean temperatures likely contributed to the severity of the flood.

The storm also damaged about 40% of the water pipeline serving Grand Canyon Village and its roughly 1,600 residents, and it impacted areas still recovering from the 2025 Dragon Bravo wildfire that burned nearly 150,000 acres.

Search operations are expected to continue through the weekend as weather forecasts predict more rain in the region.