Grand Canyon flash flood leaves 15 missing, 62 evacuated in Arizona

August 31, 2026 at 05:31 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

A flash flood struck the Grand Canyon in Arizona on August 29, leaving about 15 people missing and forcing the evacuation of 62 others. The National Park Service reported that floodwaters swept boulders and debris into the Colorado River, damaging trails and bridges. Popular areas including Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground remain closed while search and damage assessments continue.

Key Facts

At least 15 people are feared missing after a flash flood hit the Grand Canyon on August 29, according to the National Park Service.
62 people were evacuated from the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas by Sunday morning, August 30.
The flood destroyed nearly all footbridges over Bright Angel Creek and damaged the water pipeline serving tourists.
Popular sites including Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch, and parts of the North Kaibab trail remained closed on Sunday.
The National Park Service warned that more rain and thunderstorms could cause new flash floods or rockfalls on August 31.

Flood Impact

The flash flood hit the Bright Angel area and the vicinity of Phantom Ranch at about 2:30 p.m. local time on August 29. Floodwaters swept large boulders, metal structures, and other debris into the Colorado River, which runs through the park. The flooding in Bright Angel Creek wiped out footbridges over the creek and significantly altered the landscape, widening the creek bed and creating what appeared to be a new river rapid. The deluge also knocked out the water pipeline that supplied tourists in the park, leaving people unable to cross the creek.

Evacuation and Search

By Sunday morning, 62 people had been evacuated from the affected areas, according to the National Park Service. The park service asked the public for information on approximately 15 individuals who may be missing or unaccounted for following the flash flood. Earlier, the NPS website listed 20 people as missing, but the number was later revised to 15, AFP reported. No deaths or injuries had been reported as of the time of publication.

Ongoing Response

Popular tourist spots, including the Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch, and parts of the North Kaibab trail, remained closed on Sunday while park officials surveyed the damage. Rafting trips on the Colorado River have been halted for now. The Grand Canyon National Park Service said it is working with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, with additional evacuations planned on Sunday. The NPS warned that on August 31 the region could see continued downpours and thunderstorms that may trigger new flash floods or rockfalls on tourist trails.