Search and rescue teams have launched extensive operations in the Grand Canyon following a sudden flash flood that left more than twenty people unaccounted for over the weekend. The severe weather struck the Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Canyon regions during the afternoon hours on Saturday, catching visitors off guard.
According to the National Park Service, dozens of individuals have been safely evacuated from the affected zone by helicopter. Officials confirmed that at least sixty-two people were successfully airlifted out of the canyon by Saturday night, though further extractions are anticipated as search efforts continue. Remarkably, no injuries have been documented so far among the rescued groups.
Visitors caught in the deluge described chaotic and frightening scenes as walls of water rushed through the popular tourism corridor. Witnesses reported that calm weather quickly deteriorated into heavy rainfall, prompting widespread panic as people fled for higher ground. Evacuees recounted watching infrastructure crumble as the rushing water tore through paths and washed away pedestrian bridges.
Park authorities have issued urgent appeals to the public for information regarding any hikers or backpackers known to have been traveling along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on Saturday. Because communication can be difficult in the remote inner canyon, officials are relying on family members and friends to report individuals who have not yet checked in.
The National Park Service has closed all trails in the impacted zones following reports of substantial structural damage. Officials warn that the threat has not yet passed, with meteorologists predicting additional thunderstorms and heavy precipitation for the region. These lingering weather patterns could trigger further flash floods, debris slides, and rockfalls, creating hazardous conditions for both visitors and emergency responders.
The Grand Canyon stands as one of the premier natural attractions in the United States, welcoming millions of sightseers annually. The Bright Angel route serves as the park's busiest pedestrian pathway, drawing thousands of daily trekkers attempting the steep descent to the Colorado River. Park rangers continue to monitor the weather closely as search operations proceed in the rugged terrain.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.
