Missing Count Drops to Just One Hiker As Grand Canyon Flood Search Continues
Grand Canyon National Park
Published · Updated
Summary
- The number of people unaccounted for after catastrophic flash flooding tore through Grand Canyon National Park over the weekend has dropped sharply, from 15 to just one, as officials worked through hundreds of phone calls and permit records to account for hikers and campers in the area.
- The confirmed death toll remains at two.
- Search and rescue efforts were briefly halted Monday due to another flash flood warning but are expected to resume Tuesday as conditions improve.
- Officials say the flooding has been linked in part to the Dragon Bravo burn scar, a previously burned area of terrain that can intensify flash flood risk, and a flash flood watch remains in effect through September 3 as the region continues to see monsoon moisture and saturated soil.
- Despite the destruction, Grand Canyon National Park remains open and accessible on both the North and South rims.
- Flash floods can develop rapidly in canyon terrain, even when rain is falling miles away rather than directly overhead.
- Officials recommend avoiding narrow canyons, washes, and streambeds during periods of monsoon activity, moving to higher ground immediately if water levels begin rising, and never attempting to cross moving floodwater on foot or by vehicle.
Timeline
Grand Canyon National Park remains open and accessible on both the North and South rims.
A flash flood watch remains in effect through September 3 amid saturated soil and continued monsoon moisture.
Officials say the flooding has been traced in part to the Dragon Bravo burn scar, a previously burned area that can worsen flash flood risk.
Search and rescue operations were stalled Monday by another flash flood warning but are expected to resume Tuesday morning as weather conditions improve.
The death toll remains at two. One victim has been identified as a Texas chiropractor; the second victim's identity has not been released.
The number of people unaccounted for has dropped from 15 to just one, according to incident commander Dave Black, after officials cross-checked permits and made hundreds of phone calls.
Anyone with information about missing hikers or campers is asked to contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch at [888-653-0009](tel:888-653-0009).
Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and the lower North Kaibab Trail remain closed until further notice, and water restrictions are in place. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs said the state's emergency management division is coordinating with NPS and Coconino County.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch through at least Monday evening, warning that additional flash flooding remains possible across northern and central Arizona, with the greatest threat just north of the Grand Canyon.
More than 60 people have been airlifted or evacuated from the affected area, including from remote sections of the park inaccessible by vehicle.
The National Park Service confirmed a second body was recovered Monday morning, bringing the confirmed death toll to two.
Forecasters warn additional storms and flooding remain possible in the coming days.
The National Park Service is asking anyone with information about people who were in the Bright Angel Canyon or Phantom Ranch area Saturday afternoon to contact park authorities.
Air evacuations continued through the weekend as officials worked to reach stranded hikers and campers.
Witnesses described a roughly 15-foot wall of water sweeping through the Phantom Ranch campground, forcing dozens of people to run for a bridge to escape rising water.
The body of a 46-year-old man was recovered Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River.
About 15 people remain missing or unaccounted for as of Monday morning, per National Park Service (NPS) officials.
A major flash flood swept through Bright Angel Creek in Grand Canyon National Park Saturday afternoon, destroying the only footbridge in the area and the park's sole water pipeline.
Incident reported at Grand Canyon National Park.
Grand Canyon National Park remains open and accessible on both the North and South rims.
A flash flood watch remains in effect through September 3 amid saturated soil and continued monsoon moisture.
Officials say the flooding has been traced in part to the Dragon Bravo burn scar, a previously burned area that can worsen flash flood risk.
Search and rescue operations were stalled Monday by another flash flood warning but are expected to resume Tuesday morning as weather conditions improve.
The death toll remains at two. One victim has been identified as a Texas chiropractor; the second victim's identity has not been released.
The number of people unaccounted for has dropped from 15 to just one, according to incident commander Dave Black, after officials cross-checked permits and made hundreds of phone calls.
Anyone with information about missing hikers or campers is asked to contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch at [888-653-0009](tel:888-653-0009).
Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and the lower North Kaibab Trail remain closed until further notice, and water restrictions are in place. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs said the state's emergency management division is coordinating with NPS and Coconino County.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch through at least Monday evening, warning that additional flash flooding remains possible across northern and central Arizona, with the greatest threat just north of the Grand Canyon.
More than 60 people have been airlifted or evacuated from the affected area, including from remote sections of the park inaccessible by vehicle.
The National Park Service confirmed a second body was recovered Monday morning, bringing the confirmed death toll to two.
Forecasters warn additional storms and flooding remain possible in the coming days.
The National Park Service is asking anyone with information about people who were in the Bright Angel Canyon or Phantom Ranch area Saturday afternoon to contact park authorities.
Air evacuations continued through the weekend as officials worked to reach stranded hikers and campers.
Witnesses described a roughly 15-foot wall of water sweeping through the Phantom Ranch campground, forcing dozens of people to run for a bridge to escape rising water.
The body of a 46-year-old man was recovered Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River.
About 15 people remain missing or unaccounted for as of Monday morning, per National Park Service (NPS) officials.
A major flash flood swept through Bright Angel Creek in Grand Canyon National Park Saturday afternoon, destroying the only footbridge in the area and the park's sole water pipeline.
Incident reported at Grand Canyon National Park.
Grand Canyon National Park remains open and accessible on both the North and South rims.
A flash flood watch remains in effect through September 3 amid saturated soil and continued monsoon moisture.
Officials say the flooding has been traced in part to the Dragon Bravo burn scar, a previously burned area that can worsen flash flood risk.
Search and rescue operations were stalled Monday by another flash flood warning but are expected to resume Tuesday morning as weather conditions improve.
The death toll remains at two. One victim has been identified as a Texas chiropractor; the second victim's identity has not been released.
The number of people unaccounted for has dropped from 15 to just one, according to incident commander Dave Black, after officials cross-checked permits and made hundreds of phone calls.
Anyone with information about missing hikers or campers is asked to contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch at [888-653-0009](tel:888-653-0009).
Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and the lower North Kaibab Trail remain closed until further notice, and water restrictions are in place. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs said the state's emergency management division is coordinating with NPS and Coconino County.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch through at least Monday evening, warning that additional flash flooding remains possible across northern and central Arizona, with the greatest threat just north of the Grand Canyon.
More than 60 people have been airlifted or evacuated from the affected area, including from remote sections of the park inaccessible by vehicle.
The National Park Service confirmed a second body was recovered Monday morning, bringing the confirmed death toll to two.
Forecasters warn additional storms and flooding remain possible in the coming days.
The National Park Service is asking anyone with information about people who were in the Bright Angel Canyon or Phantom Ranch area Saturday afternoon to contact park authorities.
Air evacuations continued through the weekend as officials worked to reach stranded hikers and campers.
Witnesses described a roughly 15-foot wall of water sweeping through the Phantom Ranch campground, forcing dozens of people to run for a bridge to escape rising water.
The body of a 46-year-old man was recovered Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River.
About 15 people remain missing or unaccounted for as of Monday morning, per National Park Service (NPS) officials.
A major flash flood swept through Bright Angel Creek in Grand Canyon National Park Saturday afternoon, destroying the only footbridge in the area and the park's sole water pipeline.
Incident reported at Grand Canyon National Park.
Grand Canyon National Park remains open and accessible on both the North and South rims.
A flash flood watch remains in effect through September 3 amid saturated soil and continued monsoon moisture.
Officials say the flooding has been traced in part to the Dragon Bravo burn scar, a previously burned area that can worsen flash flood risk.
Search and rescue operations were stalled Monday by another flash flood warning but are expected to resume Tuesday morning as weather conditions improve.
The death toll remains at two. One victim has been identified as a Texas chiropractor; the second victim's identity has not been released.
The number of people unaccounted for has dropped from 15 to just one, according to incident commander Dave Black, after officials cross-checked permits and made hundreds of phone calls.
Anyone with information about missing hikers or campers is asked to contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch at [888-653-0009](tel:888-653-0009).
Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and the lower North Kaibab Trail remain closed until further notice, and water restrictions are in place. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs said the state's emergency management division is coordinating with NPS and Coconino County.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch through at least Monday evening, warning that additional flash flooding remains possible across northern and central Arizona, with the greatest threat just north of the Grand Canyon.
More than 60 people have been airlifted or evacuated from the affected area, including from remote sections of the park inaccessible by vehicle.
The National Park Service confirmed a second body was recovered Monday morning, bringing the confirmed death toll to two.
Forecasters warn additional storms and flooding remain possible in the coming days.
The National Park Service is asking anyone with information about people who were in the Bright Angel Canyon or Phantom Ranch area Saturday afternoon to contact park authorities.
Air evacuations continued through the weekend as officials worked to reach stranded hikers and campers.
Witnesses described a roughly 15-foot wall of water sweeping through the Phantom Ranch campground, forcing dozens of people to run for a bridge to escape rising water.
The body of a 46-year-old man was recovered Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River.
About 15 people remain missing or unaccounted for as of Monday morning, per National Park Service (NPS) officials.
A major flash flood swept through Bright Angel Creek in Grand Canyon National Park Saturday afternoon, destroying the only footbridge in the area and the park's sole water pipeline.
Incident reported at Grand Canyon National Park.
Grand Canyon National Park remains open and accessible on both the North and South rims.
A flash flood watch remains in effect through September 3 amid saturated soil and continued monsoon moisture.
Officials say the flooding has been traced in part to the Dragon Bravo burn scar, a previously burned area that can worsen flash flood risk.
Search and rescue operations were stalled Monday by another flash flood warning but are expected to resume Tuesday morning as weather conditions improve.
The death toll remains at two. One victim has been identified as a Texas chiropractor; the second victim's identity has not been released.
The number of people unaccounted for has dropped from 15 to just one, according to incident commander Dave Black, after officials cross-checked permits and made hundreds of phone calls.
Anyone with information about missing hikers or campers is asked to contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch at [888-653-0009](tel:888-653-0009).
Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and the lower North Kaibab Trail remain closed until further notice, and water restrictions are in place. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs said the state's emergency management division is coordinating with NPS and Coconino County.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch through at least Monday evening, warning that additional flash flooding remains possible across northern and central Arizona, with the greatest threat just north of the Grand Canyon.
More than 60 people have been airlifted or evacuated from the affected area, including from remote sections of the park inaccessible by vehicle.
The National Park Service confirmed a second body was recovered Monday morning, bringing the confirmed death toll to two.
Forecasters warn additional storms and flooding remain possible in the coming days.
The National Park Service is asking anyone with information about people who were in the Bright Angel Canyon or Phantom Ranch area Saturday afternoon to contact park authorities.
Air evacuations continued through the weekend as officials worked to reach stranded hikers and campers.
Witnesses described a roughly 15-foot wall of water sweeping through the Phantom Ranch campground, forcing dozens of people to run for a bridge to escape rising water.
The body of a 46-year-old man was recovered Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River.
About 15 people remain missing or unaccounted for as of Monday morning, per National Park Service (NPS) officials.
A major flash flood swept through Bright Angel Creek in Grand Canyon National Park Saturday afternoon, destroying the only footbridge in the area and the park's sole water pipeline.
Incident reported at Grand Canyon National Park.
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Its a 4 days hike when you do rim to rim, I've done the hike at least a dozen times and its rained and snowed. Just so much rain fell at once. This isn't something that happens all the time. Praying for all the hikers!
empathy is a lost art, praying for the hikers 😞
@dohertyzolee were living in the end times
all yall complaining till it’s your family missing
@MountVernonismadK why wouldn’t you?
Praying for the hikers and their families, but also the first responders who are forced to be in this situation to see something so horrible. Hopefully someone is found safe.
Its a 4 days hike when you do rim to rim, I've done the hike at least a dozen times and its rained and snowed. Just so much rain fell at once. This isn't something that happens all the time. Praying for all the hikers!
empathy is a lost art, praying for the hikers 😞
@dohertyzolee were living in the end times
all yall complaining till it’s your family missing
@MountVernonismadK why wouldn’t you?
Praying for the hikers and their families, but also the first responders who are forced to be in this situation to see something so horrible. Hopefully someone is found safe.
Its a 4 days hike when you do rim to rim, I've done the hike at least a dozen times and its rained and snowed. Just so much rain fell at once. This isn't something that happens all the time. Praying for all the hikers!
empathy is a lost art, praying for the hikers 😞
@dohertyzolee were living in the end times
all yall complaining till it’s your family missing
@MountVernonismadK why wouldn’t you?
Praying for the hikers and their families, but also the first responders who are forced to be in this situation to see something so horrible. Hopefully someone is found safe.
Its a 4 days hike when you do rim to rim, I've done the hike at least a dozen times and its rained and snowed. Just so much rain fell at once. This isn't something that happens all the time. Praying for all the hikers!
empathy is a lost art, praying for the hikers 😞
@dohertyzolee were living in the end times
all yall complaining till it’s your family missing
@MountVernonismadK why wouldn’t you?
Praying for the hikers and their families, but also the first responders who are forced to be in this situation to see something so horrible. Hopefully someone is found safe.
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Its a 4 days hike when you do rim to rim, I've done the hike at least a dozen times and its rained and snowed. Just so much rain fell at once. This isn't something that happens all the time. Praying for all the hikers!
empathy is a lost art, praying for the hikers 😞
@dohertyzolee were living in the end times
all yall complaining till it’s your family missing
@MountVernonismadK why wouldn’t you?
Praying for the hikers and their families, but also the first responders who are forced to be in this situation to see something so horrible. Hopefully someone is found safe.