One dead and at least 15 missing after flash floods hit Grand Canyon

A flash flood at the Grand Canyon has left one person dead and at least 15 missing, while the damage has cut the park’s only water pipeline and disrupted access to the inner canyon.

The National Park Service said a 46-year-old man’s body was recovered along the Colorado River on Sunday evening. More than 60 people were evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail, while riverside campgrounds were also cleared.

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Grand Canyon National Park staff are continuing to assess damage to trails, bridges, utilities, facilities and other infrastructure.

The flooding destroyed footbridges used by hikers on the north side of the Colorado River and damaged trails, utilities, facilities and other infrastructure. Tourists have been barred from staying at lodges and hotels inside the park as water shortages and flood risks continue.

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My heart is with the families and loved ones of every person unaccounted for after the flash flooding at the Grand Canyon.

Large storage tanks on the South Rim cannot be refilled while the pipeline remains out of service. Year-round residents and visitors have been asked to conserve water as officials work to stabilize the system. The disruption complicates plans to modernize infrastructure serving about six million visitors each year and roughly 1,600 Grand Canyon Village residents.

The National Park Service warned that saturated ground and monsoonal moisture could keep the flash-flood risk elevated through Monday. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said the state’s emergency department was coordinating with park officials and Coconino County on search and recovery efforts.

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With deep monsoonal moisture in place and already saturated soils in some locations, an elevated risk of flash flooding will be in place through Monday.