15 people unaccounted for after flash flooding at Grand Canyon

More than 20 people were missing or unaccounted for after flash flooding at Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon on Saturday afternoon.

The National Park Service by Sunday mid-afternoon said the number of missing or unaccounted people was 15, according to The Associated Press, as the service worked with the Arizona Department of Public Safety to locate the individuals while continuing evacuations.

The park service is asking anyone with knowledge of hikers or backpackers in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor, or who had campground reservations in that area, on Saturday to contact its Investigative Services Branch at 888-653-0009 or through email.

This includes people traveling along the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch, staying at Bright Angel Campground or traveling or staying north of Phantom Ranch in the area known as “the Box.”

More than 60 people had been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail as of Sunday morning, according to the National Park Service.

Evacuees were being taken to the South Rim’s Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, where they will be helped by the American Red Cross.

No injuries had been reported, NPS said.

Closures caused by Grand Canyon flash flooding

Due to the flooding, Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and Cabins and entire North Kaibab trail are closed.

The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge that cross the Colorado River are also closed.

It is not currently known when they will reopen and more inner canyon closures are possible.

The flash flooding destroyed almost all the footbridges covering Bright Angel Creek. National park staff is still assessing damage to trails, utilities, facilities and other infrastructure.

Additionally, the Colorado River is closed to river traffic due to metal structures and debris in the river.

More flash flooding is possible as thunderstorms and heavy rainfall could occur Sunday and Monday.

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