Grand Canyon flash flood leaves two dead, dozens missing as storms loom
Two bodies have been recovered after a flash flood in Bright Angel Creek, with about 15 people still missing, and officials warn that additional rain could cause further flooding.
At least two bodies were recovered on Sunday after a flash flood swept through Bright Angel Creek in Grand Canyon National Park, while search teams continue to look for roughly 15 people who remain unaccounted for, park officials said Monday. The flood, triggered by four rounds of heavy rain over two creek drainages on Saturday, damaged the canyon’s sole water pipeline, prompting emergency water restrictions for residents and the suspension of overnight stays at park lodges.
The National Weather Service warned that more thunderstorms are expected, increasing the risk of additional flash flooding during the region’s monsoon season. Meteorologist Paige Konieczny said the location of recent rainfalls, including on the burn scar of the July 2025 Dragon Bravo fire, heightens concerns about further flooding.
Rescue operations have airlifted more than 60 people from the canyon, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety assisted with evacuations. The state’s Department of Emergency and Military Affairs is coordinating with park officials and county emergency managers in the ongoing search and recovery effort.
A hiker who survived the event described seeing sudden waterfalls, boulders and mud, and being forced to climb a debris wall before being rescued by helicopter near Phantom Ranch.
The flood also destroyed footbridges over Bright Angel Creek and damaged about 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline, a $208 million pipeline project that began in 2023 to supply water to roughly 6 million annual visitors and 1,600 residents. The damage may delay completion of the project, which was slated for next year, and could require extensive reconstruction funding.