Search and rescue teams have recovered two bodies following flash floods in the Grand Canyon over the weekend. The National Park Service reported that one of the deceased is a 46-year-old man, but no further details were provided. More than a dozen individuals remain unaccounted for. Lodges and hotels within the park are closed, and additional rain and flooding are anticipated.
The flash floods occurred after storms moved through the Grand Canyon on Saturday afternoon, with the National Weather Service recording 1.24 inches of rain in a three-hour period. Experts noted that the current El Nino phenomenon may have contributed to the increased rainfall by adding moisture to the atmosphere, with El Nino systems intensifying partly due to climate change.
More than 60 people were evacuated by helicopter. Witnesses Scott Svedin and Erica Viola described their experience, stating they heard shouts to run as floodwaters approached. They recounted running through knee-deep muddy water to reach higher ground before a significant surge of water swept through the campground, destroying bridges.
The National Park Service indicated that the area typically receives less than 10 inches of rain annually, but the monsoon season in Arizona poses a risk for flash floods. David Gregory, who was backpacking in the canyon, captured video footage during his airlift to safety.
Currently, the Grand Canyon is under emergency water restrictions, with approximately 40 percent of the pipeline supplying water to tourists and residents reported as damaged or destroyed. A $208 million project to rehabilitate and upgrade the water system was already in progress and is expected to be completed next year. As search and rescue efforts continue, further rain is forecasted throughout the day.