A major Grand Canyon flash flood has left around 15 people missing or unaccounted for after torrents of water swept through Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area in Arizona, US. The National Park Service (NPS) said 62 people had been evacuated from the affected area as rescue and search operations continued.

The flash flood struck on August 29 at around 2:30 pm local time after intense rainfall over the Kaibab Plateau. The rushing water carried large boulders, metal structures and other debris into the Colorado River and destroyed several footbridges across Bright Angel Creek.

Authorities have closed several popular areas of the national park while crews assess damage and try to account for people who may have been in the affected trails and campsites.

Flood Strikes Canyon

The flooding hit Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area during the afternoon on August 29.

The National Park Service said rainfall rapidly generated floodwater through the steep canyon terrain. The torrent widened the creek bed and dramatically changed parts of the landscape.

The flooding also swept debris into the Colorado River, creating dangerous conditions for hikers, campers and river users.

NPS officials have asked members of the public to provide information about hikers, backpackers or campers who may have been in the affected areas when the flooding occurred.

62 People Evacuated

By Sunday morning, authorities had evacuated 62 people from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail.

Additional evacuations were planned from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch as officials worked with the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Evacuees were taken to the South Rim, where the American Red Cross was assisting them.

The number of people believed to be missing has changed as authorities reviewed information about visitors in the area. Earlier estimates put the number above 20, but the latest NPS information indicates that approximately 15 people may be missing or unaccounted for.

Search Efforts Continue

Park authorities are working to identify people who may have been in Bright Angel Canyon, along the North Kaibab Trail or around Phantom Ranch.

Officials have urged anyone with information about potentially missing hikers or backpackers to contact the National Park Service.

Search and evacuation operations face additional challenges because the flood damaged trails and crossings and left debris throughout parts of the canyon.

Authorities are also monitoring river and trail conditions as further rainfall could create new hazards.

Major Damage Reported

The flood caused extensive damage to infrastructure in the canyon.

Nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, cutting pedestrian access across the waterway. Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground and the North Kaibab Trail have been closed until further notice.

The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge crossings were also closed, while debris in the Colorado River forced a temporary suspension of river traffic in the affected area.

The park's water infrastructure also suffered significant damage, including the pipeline that supplies water to visitors and residents in the canyon.

More Storms Forecast

The weather threat has not ended.

Forecasters warned that additional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall could affect the Grand Canyon area through Monday. Officials said more rain could trigger further flash flooding, debris flows, rockfalls and rapidly changing trail and river conditions.

The steep terrain makes the region particularly vulnerable because intense rainfall can run off rapidly into narrow canyon channels.

Authorities have urged visitors to stay away from closed areas while rescue and damage-assessment operations continue.

Tourism Operations Hit

The closures could affect one of the United States' most popular national parks.

Phantom Ranch, located near the bottom of the Grand Canyon, is a major destination for hikers and overnight visitors. Bright Angel Campground and sections of the North Kaibab Trail are also important routes for visitors travelling through the canyon.

With no immediate reopening date for several affected areas, visitors with reservations have been advised to follow information from park authorities.

The disruption also affects river trips because dangerous debris and altered river conditions have forced temporary restrictions on sections of the Colorado River.

What Happens Next

The immediate priority is to account for the approximately 15 people still reported missing or unaccounted for, while continuing evacuations and assessing damaged infrastructure.

Authorities will also monitor weather conditions closely because additional thunderstorms could complicate search operations and create new flash-flood hazards.

The Grand Canyon flash flood has demonstrated how quickly extreme rainfall can transform conditions in the steep canyon environment. Visitors should avoid closed trails, river sections and other restricted areas until the National Park Service declares them safe.