Overview
- The National Park Service says a sudden flash flood hit Bright Angel Canyon at about 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, sweeping through Phantom Ranch and nearby campgrounds.
- Rescue teams airlifted at least 62 people to the South Rim after the flood and have continued helicopter searches while coordinating further evacuations from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch.
- Park officials recovered the body of a 46-year-old man and are asking the public to report information about people who may have been in the Bright Angel Creek corridor to the NPS Investigative Services Branch tip line.
- The flood destroyed nearly all footbridges over Bright Angel Creek, damaged trails and utilities, closed key Colorado River crossings, and put the Transcanyon Waterline out of service, prompting Stage 4 water restrictions and a suspension of in‑park overnight lodging.
- Monsoon downpours over the Dragon Bravo fire scar amplified runoff and debris flows, making the canyon especially vulnerable and complicating access because Phantom Ranch is reachable only by foot, mule or river transport.