Evacuations and Missing Persons Reported After Flash Flood in Grand Canyon

More than 60 people have been evacuated following flash flooding that swept large boulders and debris into the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona. The National Park Service reported that at least 15 individuals are feared missing after the flooding occurred on Saturday afternoon. As of Sunday morning, 62 people were evacuated from the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas. The flooding caused significant changes to Bright Angel Creek, which flows into the Colorado River, destroying footbridges and altering the landscape by widening the creek bed and creating new rapids. Popular tourist locations, including Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch, and parts of the North Kaibab trail, remained closed as park officials assessed the damage. Rafting trips on the Colorado River have also been suspended. Parth Desai, who was hiking in Bright Angel Canyon, described witnessing the sudden flooding and landslides. Jack Schmidt, director of the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University, noted the dynamic nature of the Grand Canyon's landscape. The Grand Canyon National Park Service is coordinating with the Arizona Department of Public Safety for further evacuations planned for Sunday, and no injuries have been reported. Additional rain and thunderstorms are expected in the area through Monday.