Flash floods at Grand Canyon leave at least two dead and 15 missing

Two people have died and at least 15 remain missing after flash floods swept through the Grand Canyon, turning a nearby stream black with debris and forcing dozens of people to evacuate.

The flooding began on Saturday afternoon around Phantom Ranch, the canyon’s only accommodation facility. The ranch can be reached only on foot or by traveling along the Colorado River. One of the victims, a 46-year-old man, was found near Crystal Rapids. Authorities have not released identifying details about the second victim.

The missing people may have been traveling on a backcountry route or taking a day hike between North Kaibab and Phantom Ranch. Two helicopters have been searching continuously, but no further missing hikers had been found. Among them is John Giusti, a Texas chiropractor who was hiking the Grand Canyon for the first time with two friends. His sister, Valerie Gibbs, told The New York Times that he regularly hikes and runs. The family last spoke with him at about 2 p.m. Saturday, before the floods hit.

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The search and recovery operations continue.

The disaster prompted the evacuation of 62 people and led officials to restrict water use after infrastructure was damaged. David Gregory, who was hiking with a small group, spent hours waiting for a helicopter rescue before emergency crews reached him. He was taken to a hotel for the night.

“We realized that the creek near where we were was black with debris and flowing fiercely,” Gregory told CNN. Authorities have closed Phantom Ranch and several trails until further notice. More severe storms are forecast, bringing the risk of additional flooding, debris flows and rockfalls, while changing conditions on trails and waterways could further complicate the search.

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We realized that the creek near where we were was black with debris and flowing fiercely.