US News
Deadly Grand Canyon flash flood leaves two dead, one missing, and damages park infrastructure
A sudden deluge near Bright Angel Creek triggered severe flooding, prompting evacuations and disrupting water projects while visitors including an Arizona lawmaker escaped unharmed.
The short version
- A flash flood along Bright Angel Creek in the Grand Canyon left two people dead, one missing, and forced roughly 80 people to evacuate near Phantom Ranch.
- Rep. David Schweikert, who was on a rafting trip nearby, escaped to higher ground alongside his group without injury.
- The disaster caused severe damage to the national park's water supply system and an ongoing $208 million pipeline project.
- Park officials continue search efforts for the missing person while preparing to assess the full extent of the infrastructure damage.
Key facts
- Two park visitors died and one person remains missing after sudden floodwaters rapidly swelled Bright Angel Creek into a heavy torrent of mud and debris.[NBC News]
- Approximately 80 people were evacuated from camping areas surrounding the historic Phantom Ranch region.[NBC News]
- The flood severely damaged Grand Canyon National Park's water supply system and portions of an active $208 million water pipeline project.[NBC News]
- Rep. David Schweikert and his rafting party were roughly 100 yards from the flood zone and were guided to safe ground on foot.[NBC News]
What remains uncertain
- The identity and status of the missing individual remain unconfirmed, and full assessments of the infrastructure damage have not yet been completed.[NBC News]
Sources
- Arizona congressman heard ‘freight train crash’ sound during Grand Canyon flash floodNBC News - Top Stories