The National Park Service recovered the body of a 46-year-old man after a significant flash flood in the Grand Canyon on Saturday.
The man’s identity has not yet been released, and the agency said Sunday night it was still searching for about 15 other people. Earlier Sunday, the park service had asked for the public’s help finding as many as 20 people. The body was recovered near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, and the Coconino County medical examiner’s office is on site as the search for more hikers continues, according to the park service.
“If you know of hikers or backpackers who were in the Bright Angel Creek corridor on August 29, or if you had a campground reservation in the affected area, please contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch,” the agency wrote in a news release and social media posts on Sunday afternoon.
This includes people who may have been traveling along the North Kaibab Trail from the trailhead to Phantom Ranch, staying at Bright Angel Campground or traveling or staying in the area known as “the Box” north of Phantom Ranch, officials said.
The park service said the flash flood happened around 2:30 p.m. Saturday and resulted in “significant impacts” to infrastructure throughout Bright Angel Canyon. Nearly all footbridges were destroyed, eliminating hiker access to the creek. The flooding widened the creek bed and created what appeared to be a new river rapid.
Dozens of people were evacuated as the flooding swept large boulders, metal structures and other debris into the Colorado River, which runs through the Grand Canyon, the National Park Service said. Flooding also knocked out the sole water pipeline that serves tourists and residents at the national park, officials said late Sunday.
Sixty-two people were evacuated from the area Sunday morning, and additional evacuations were underway from Cottonwood Campground, Phantom Ranch and other nearby sites.
Evacuees have been transported to the Maswik Lodge Cafeteria on the South Rim, where the American Red Cross is coordinating assistance.
Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch are closed until further notice, the park service said.
The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge crossing the Colorado River are also closed until further notice, with no estimated reopening date.
Parth Desai was hiking through a narrow passage in Bright Angel Canyon with a group of fellow physicians and a park ranger when the downpour started.
“We saw the creek flood, waterfalls coming up out of nowhere, boulders, mud, landslides happening everywhere,” said the hiker, who was later rescued by helicopter.
A flash flood watch remains in effect in the Grand Canyon area through Monday evening, with more showers and thunderstorms in the forecast, according to the National Weather Service.
“Flash flooding will be possible in creeks, normally dry washes, swimming holes, and over recently burned areas,” the agency warned. “Raging killer currents will be possible in side canyons and narrow slot canyons. Low-water crossings may be flooded.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch Tip Line at (888) 653-0009 or nps_isb@nps.gov.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
