Deadly flash flood hits Arizona’s Grand Canyon

A flash flood in Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park killed at least one person, left 15 others presumed missing and forced more than 60 people to evacuate.

The National Park Service said rescuers recovered the body of a 46-year-old man on Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River. The flood struck Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area at about 2:30 p.m. on Saturday after rain fell on the Kaibab Plateau.

Hiker Parth Desai told the Associated Press that the group he was with saw the creek rise rapidly, along with waterfalls, boulders, mud and landslides. A debris wall about four feet high moved toward them, forcing the group to run into a patch of cacti before helicopters rescued them.

The National Weather Service said up to one inch of rain fell in about 20 minutes, with much of the water running down steep terrain. The flood destroyed nearly all footbridges over Bright Angel Creek and carried boulders and debris into the Colorado River. Damage to the park’s only water pipeline prompted water restrictions.

More thunderstorms and heavy rain were expected through Monday. The park remained open for day use, but Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch and parts of the North Kaibab Trail were closed. Overnight stays inside the park were to be suspended from Monday, and Colorado River rafting trips were halted.

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We saw the creek flood, waterfalls coming up out of nowhere, boulders, mud, landslides happening everywhere.