At least 2 Dead in Grand Canyon Flooding; Park Service Says 20-Plus May Be Missing A severe flash flood in the Grand Canyon on Saturday resulted in at least two fatalities and left as many as 20 or more individuals unaccounted for, according to the National Park Service. The disaster forced the evacuation of dozens of hikers by helicopter, with 62 people rescued from the area near the confluence of Bright Angel Creek and the Colorado River. The incident occurred as heavy rains transformed the Bright Angel Creek area into a raging torrent, causing widespread destruction of trails, footbridges, and park infrastructure. The National Park Service confirmed the recovery of two bodies, including a 46-year-old man whose remains were found on Sunday. Search-and-recovery operations continued along the canyon floor, though the exact number of missing individuals remained unclear. Park officials emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the flooding had severely damaged critical infrastructure, including the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water to the park. With the system temporarily inoperable, the park faced limited water reserves, prompting conservation measures for facilities. Hikers at Phantom Ranch, an historic lodge and campground, were among those affected. David Gregory, a visitor at the site, described the chaos as he and others fled across a footbridge moments before it was washed away. "It was like a whirlpool in there, with all the debris circling around, cabins and other equipment from the maintenance work site," he said. "I don't think we would have made it out alive … I think it would have been game over." U.S. Representative David Schweikert, an Arizona Republican, was also caught in the flood while rafting with friends near Bright Angel Creek.#national_park_service #grand_canyon #bright_angle_creek #phantom_ranch #david_schweikert
