More Than 20 Hikers Missing After Flash Flood Hits Grand Canyon

Adriana Stone 0 1 min read

More Than 20 Hikers Missing After Flash Flood Hits Grand Canyon

More than 20 people may be missing or unaccounted for after a major flash flood swept through Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area of the Grand Canyon on August 29.

At least 20 hikers are reported missing. More than 60 people were evacuated as heavy rain moved through the region, and dozens of visitors had to be airlifted during the sudden flooding.

Grand Canyon National Park staff are working with the Arizona Department of Public Safety on evacuation and response operations. Crews are also trying to determine who was in the affected area when the flooding hit.

“Monsoonal moisture will produce showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain over parts of the Southwest, Great Basin, and Central Rockies through Monday. Flash flooding is possible, especially in and around burn scars and in areas of steep terrain,” the National Weather Service said.

The National Park Service is asking the public for information about hikers and backpackers who may have been in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on August 29.

Officials are especially seeking information about people who traveled on the North Kaibab Trail between the North Kaibab Trailhead and Phantom Ranch. The request also covers anyone who stayed at Bright Angel Campground or traveled through the area known as “the Box,” north of Phantom Ranch.

Anyone who knows of hikers, backpackers, or campground guests who may be missing is urged to contact the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch.

NPS ISB Tip Line: 888-653-0009

The park service repeated its request for public assistance in a social media alert, saying more than 20 individuals may be missing or unaccounted for after the August 29 flood.

The same monsoonal weather system also brought flooding to Goblin Valley State Park in Utah. Video shared from the park showed a pool of water rushing through the area as heavy rain triggered flooding.

A Flood Watch was in effect for portions of central and southern Utah through Monday evening, according to the warning shared with the video.

The situation at the Grand Canyon remains under development as officials continue evacuations, search efforts, and attempts to account for everyone who may have been in the affected corridor.

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