More than 60 people have been evacuated after torrents ripped through hiking trails and swept debris into the Colorado River
Published 31 Aug, 2026 02:37
| Updated 31 Aug, 2026 02:44
Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona on Sunday, August 30, 2026, after it was hit by heavy flooding © Craig Sanderson via AP
One person has been confirmed dead and around 15 others are feared missing after a powerful flash flood tore through Arizona’s Grand Canyon, forcing dozens of hikers to be airlifted from the remote inner canyon.
The flooding struck Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area at around 2:30pm on Saturday, sending muddy torrents, boulders and debris surging through Bright Angel Creek and into the Colorado River.
The National Park Service (NPS) said Sunday evening that one person had been recovered from the river, but did not immediately identify the victim. Around 15 people may still be missing or unaccounted for, down from more than 20 earlier in the day.
At least 62 people were evacuated by helicopter from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail.
At least 20 people unaccounted for after flash flooding at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona — officials pic.twitter.com/he0VNiRsLd
— BNO News (@BNONews) August 30, 2026
Footage from the area showed swollen brown water roaring through the canyon and carrying debris, while campers described scrambling to higher ground as the water rapidly rose.
update: the number of people unaccounted for after the grand canyon flash flooding has been revised from more than 20 to 15. i also found additional footage posted by david j gregory, one of the hikers evacuated from the canyon, in the grand canyon hikers facebook group. https://t.co/cBff99hTvepic.twitter.com/Hb9K91fDof
— Michael Rusch (@weeddude) August 30, 2026
Nearly all footbridges across Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, while Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground and sections of the North Kaibab Trail were closed indefinitely. The flood also damaged the park’s water pipeline, prompting conservation measures.
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