A flash flood in the Grand Canyon on Saturday forced the evacuation of dozens of people and left 15 individuals missing or unaccounted for, the National Park Service (NPS) announced. Torrents of water damaged infrastructure, destroyed footbridges over Bright Angel Creek, and altered the area, creating new river rapids, as the NPS is urging anyone with information about hikers or campers in the area to come forward.

Water pipeline and tourism operations disrupted

The flooding knocked out the only water pipeline that serves tourists and residents in the park, officials said late Sunday, though Starting Monday, overnight stays at lodges and hotels within the national park will be suspended, and residents are being asked to conserve water. The park said these measures are essential for maintaining water resources amid the crisis.

Popular tourist areas, including the Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch, and parts of the North Kaibab Trail, remain closed as officials assess the damage; Rafting trips on the Colorado River have also been suspended. The NPS is working with the Arizona Department of Public Safety to continue evacuations and locate missing individuals.

Survivors describe chaotic scenes and swift response

According to the BBC, some hikers, including a group at Phantom Ranch, were caught off guard by the sudden flood — One survivor described how they had been staying in a remote cabin and went outside to enjoy the weather before the flood hit. After the water began rising, they moved to higher ground but were later told to relocate again by park rangers — they were eventually rescued around 9:30 p.m. local time.

“This is a reminder of what a dynamic and active setting the Grand Canyon is,” said Jack Schmidt, director of the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University. The NPS reported that at least 62 people were evacuated by Sunday morning, but there were no immediate reports of injuries.

One survivor praised the park rangers for their quick response: “It was really an incredible, organized rescue operation. It made us feel safe even in such a dangerous situation.” The NPS had initially reported 20 missing people but later reduced the number to 15.

Weather warnings and infrastructure damage

The NPS warned that more thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected on Sunday and Monday, increasing the risk of additional flash floods, landslides, and rockfalls. The National Park Service said the flooding had caused “significant impacts on the infrastructure” in the Bright Angel Canyon, including the destruction of nearly all footbridges over the creek.

The affected areas include the Bright Angel Creek corridor, the North Kaibab Trail, and Phantom Ranch, and According to n-tv.de, the flood occurred at 2:30 p.m. local time on Saturday and had already caused severe damage by Sunday morning. The NPS said it is working to assess the full extent of the damage and to ensure the safety of all visitors and residents.

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the United States, attracting about 5 million visitors annually; the Bright Angel Trail is one of the most popular hiking routes in the park.