One person is dead and about 15 people may be missing or unaccounted for after a significant flash flood hit parts of the Grand Canyon National Park, park officials said Sunday.
The National Park Service said it is seeking information about hikers or backpackers who were in the affected parts of the canyon a day earlier, or anyone who had a campground reservation there.
At least 62 people had been evacuated from the area by air on Sunday morning after the flood hit at around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, according to a separate statement from Grand Canyon National Park staff. An earlier post on social media from the park service said more than 20 people were missing or unaccounted for.
Park staff said in a statement Sunday night that “recovery operations have been completed” for a 46-year-old man near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River. The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office was onsite, the statement added.
The total number of individuals who remain missing is unknown.
The impacted area includes the Bright Angel Creek corridor, the North Kaibab Trail, and Phantom Ranch. The entirety of the North Kaibab Trail and Phantom Ranch were closed until further notice.
“There is currently no estimated reopening date for these areas and other inner canyon closures may be necessary,” the Park Service said in a statement.
The Colorado River is also closed until further notice due to metal structures and debris, according to NPS.
The park service urged individuals to stay away from the closed area. No injuries had been reported among evacuated individuals as of Sunday morning.
NPS also cautioned that thunderstorms and continuing heavy rainfall are likely Sunday and Monday, which could result in more flash flooding and changing river and trail conditions.
Flood watches remain in effect with more heavy rain expected through Monday.
“Flash flooding will be possible in creeks, normally dry washes, swimming holes, and over recently burned areas. Raging killer currents will be possible in side canyons and narrow slot canyons. Low-water crossings may be flooded,” wrote the National Weather Service in Flagstaff, Arizona.
The torrential rain and storms over the weekend are part of the monsoon season, which runs from June 15 to Sept. 30 in Arizona.
Moisture was enhanced by the remnants of Tropical Storm Iselle, part of a pattern of extra warmth and moisture flowing into the United States from El Niño and marine heat waves across the Pacific Ocean — that has contributed to destructive flooding events across the U.S.
At a weather station near North Rim, Arizona and Bright Angel Creek, 1.24 inches of rain fell in a three-hour period from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. local time on Saturday, including 0.84 inches in an hour.
High intensity rainfall on steep, rocky and drought-affected terrain meant that the water wasn’t absorbed into the ground and mostly ran off into the canyons and creeks below.
Hannah Knowles contributed to this report.
The post One person dead, about 15 more may be missing after Grand Canyon flash flooding appeared first on Washington Post.
