FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A powerful flash flood tore through part of Grand Canyon National Park, prompting the evacuation of dozens of people and sending massive boulders, metal debris and other wreckage into the Colorado River, according to the National Park Service.
The surge struck Bright Angel Creek, a tributary that feeds into the Colorado River, on Saturday afternoon. Fast-moving water destroyed footbridges spanning the creek, reshaped the surrounding terrain, widened the creek bed and appeared to carve out a new rapid in the river corridor.
Park officials said they were trying to gather information on more than 20 people who may be missing or unaccounted for following the flood. The agency urged anyone with knowledge of hikers or campers who had been in the area to contact authorities. Evacuation efforts continued Sunday in coordination with the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
“This is a reminder of what a dynamic and active landscape Grand Canyon is,” said Jack Schmidt, director of the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University.
Several high-traffic destinations, including Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch and sections of the North Kaibab Trail, remained closed Sunday as crews assessed the extent of the damage, the park said. Colorado River rafting trips have also been suspended for the time being.
More than 60 people were evacuated from Phantom Ranch, which has a historic canteen and dorms, and is a common spot for rafters to get off and on the river. More evacuations were planned Sunday, the park said. No injuries have been reported.
Erica Viola said she was at Bright Angel Campground when the rain started Saturday afternoon, and she and about 50 other hikers watched the creek rise and then debris start to flow by, including what looked like a bunkhouse. The group was taken by helicopter to safety, ending her adventure two days early, she said.
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About half an inch to 1 inch (1 centimeter to 2.5 centimeters) of rain fell within about 30 minutes in the rocky area where there’s a steep drop in elevation, said National Weather Service meteorologist Justin Johndrow in Flagstaff.
“Most of it ran off instantly,” Johndrow said.
He said the flooding happened on the north side of the Grand Canyon, where Bright Angel Creek comes from the North Rim down to the Colorado River, dropping around 6,000 feet (1,828 meters).
More rain and thunderstorms were possible for the area into Monday.
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Stengle reported from Dallas. Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, and in Holly Ramer in Concord, New Hampshire, also contributed.
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