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Over 20 missing and dozens evacuated after severe flash flood in Grand Canyon

A sudden deluge caused widespread damage to trails and footbridges, triggering aerial evacuations and trail closures around Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch.

Updated Aug 30, 2026 · 22:21 UTC5 reports

The short version

  • Flash flooding struck Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on Saturday afternoon following heavy rain, washing away infrastructure and sweeping debris into the Colorado River.
  • National Park Service officials report that 62 people were evacuated by air, and no injuries have been reported.
  • Authorities are seeking public help to locate and account for more than 20 individuals who may have been in the impacted corridor.
  • Popular sites including Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and the North Kaibab Trail remain closed while officials assess damage and prepare for potential additional rainfall.

Key facts

  • Flash flooding hit Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on Saturday afternoon after 0.5 to 1 inch of rain fell in roughly 30 minutes.[BBC News · Associated Press]
  • The National Park Service reported 62 people were evacuated by air by Sunday morning, with additional evacuations planned.[BBC News · Fox News · NBC News]
  • Park authorities are requesting information on more than 20 people who remain missing or unaccounted for along Bright Angel Creek, Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, or the North Kaibab Trail.[BBC News · Fox News · Associated Press · NBC News]
  • Nearly all footbridges over Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, disrupting hiker access, and Colorado River traffic was temporarily halted due to floating debris.[Fox News · Associated Press · NBC News]
  • No injuries have been reported in connection with the flooding.[CBS News · BBC News · Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • The exact identities and status of the more than 20 unaccounted-for individuals remain unknown, as park officials have not released details on whether they are hikers, campers, or reservation holders.[Fox News]
  • The full extent of structural damage to park facilities, trails, and utility lines is still being evaluated by Grand Canyon National Park staff.[Associated Press · NBC News]

Sources