Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Deadly Grand Canyon Floods Threaten Rescue Efforts Amid Storms
Very heavy rain caused dangerous floods in the Grand Canyon on Saturday.
The water rushed through areas where people were hiking and staying.
Two people have died, and more than a dozen were initially reported missing.
Rescue teams are searching for people and helping evacuate others.
About 50 people near Phantom Ranch were moved by air.
More rain is expected, which could make the rescue work harder and cause new floods.
The park’s water pipeline was also badly damaged.
Because there is not much water available, visitors can only use the park during the day or camp without water service.
Officials are still working to determine who is safe and who may be missing.
Two people died and more than a dozen remained missing after flash floods hit the Grand Canyon on Saturday.
Heavy monsoon rain triggered flooding in Bright Angel Canyon and evacuations near Phantom Ranch.
About 50 people near Phantom Ranch were reportedly evacuated by air, while crews continued search-and-rescue operations.
Another round of heavy rain could bring rainfall rates exceeding 1 inch per hour through Monday night.
Flooding damaged about 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline, leaving the park open only for day use and dry camping.
- Who
- Grand Canyon visitors, park staff, Arizona Department of Public Safety personnel and other rescue workers were involved.
- What
- Flash floods killed two people, left more than a dozen initially reported missing and damaged park infrastructure.
- When
- The flooding began around 2:30 p.m. local time Saturday; additional heavy rain was forecast through Monday night.
- Where
- Bright Angel Canyon, the Phantom Ranch area and nearby sections of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.
- Why
- Seasonal monsoon rains dropped roughly a month’s worth of moisture over steep terrain, producing significant flash flooding.
- Deaths
- Two people had died as of Monday morning.
- Missing people
- More than a dozen were reported missing, although the National Park Service did not provide a later count.
- Evacuations
- The National Park Service said it was conducting air evacuations for roughly 50 people near Phantom Ranch.
- Flood timing
- Flooding began Saturday at about 2:30 p.m. local time.
- Rain threat
- Rainfall rates of more than 1 inch per hour were possible through Monday night.
- Waterline damage
- Approximately 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline was damaged.
- Park operations
- The park was set to remain open for day use and dry camping only.