Colorado:
Greater than 20 individuals are reportedly lacking after a serious flash flood in Grand Canyon Nationwide Park in the US. The sudden flooding hit the Brilliant Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch space, sweeping massive boulders, metallic constructions, and different particles into the Colorado River that runs via it, the Nationwide Park Service mentioned.
The service mentioned it was working with Arizona authorities to evacuate individuals and account for people within the affected space and requested the general public for any details about the lacking, in addition to any hikers who have been within the space.
The flash flood started in Brilliant Angel Creek, which flows into the Colorado River, about 2:30 pm on Saturday, with torrents of water wiping out footbridges over the creek and considerably altering the panorama. The movies from the realm present that the flooding seems to have widened the creek mattress and created what gave the impression to be a brand new river speedy.
🇺🇸: Flash floods sweep Grand Canyon, 62 evacuated and greater than 20 nonetheless lacking.
A flash flood hit Brilliant Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch at Grand Canyon Nationwide Park on Aug. 29, 2026. By Sunday morning, 62 individuals had been evacuated with no accidents reported; officers say… pic.twitter.com/BT2YxN49uy
— World In Final 24hr (@world24x7hr) August 30, 2026
“This can be a reminder of what a dynamic and lively panorama the Grand Canyon is,” mentioned Jack Schmidt, director of the Centre for Colorado River Research at Utah State College.
What Precipitated Flash Floods
One of many survivors, Erica Viola, advised Related Press that she was at Brilliant Angel Campground when the rain began Saturday afternoon, and she or he and about 50 different hikers watched the creek rise after which particles begin to circulation by, together with what seemed like a bunkhouse.
The group was taken by helicopter to security, ending her journey two days early, she mentioned.
About half an inch to 1 inch (1 centimetre to 2.5 centimetres) of rain fell inside about half-hour within the rocky space the place there is a steep drop in elevation, mentioned Nationwide Climate Service meteorologist Justin Johndrow in Flagstaff.
“Most of it ran off immediately,” Johndrow mentioned.
He mentioned the flooding occurred on the north facet of the Grand Canyon, the place Brilliant Angel Creek comes from the North Rim right down to the Colorado River, dropping round 6,000 toes (1,828 meters).
Over 60 Evacuated
As of Sunday morning, 62 individuals have been evacuated from Phantom Ranch, which has a historic canteen and dorms and is a standard spot for rafters to get on and off the river, and others have been scheduled to be evacuated, it mentioned. No accidents have been reported up to now.
The service warned that extra thunderstorms and heavy rainfall have been doable via Monday, probably resulting in “further flash flooding, particles flows, rockfall, and altering path and river situations.”
In the meantime, fashionable vacationer spots together with the Brilliant Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch and elements of the North Kaibab path remained closed on Sunday whereas park officers surveyed the harm. Rafting journeys on the Colorado River even have been halted for now.
