Fifteen people remained unaccounted for after dozens of people were rescued following a “significant flash food” in the Grand Canyon, according to park officials.
Flash flooding inundated Bright Angel Canyon, a popular hiking trail, and Phantom Ranch areas of the park starting around 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
“These were individuals either on a backcountry itinerary in the inner canyon or believed to be day hiking along the North Kaibab/Phantom Ranch area,” Grand Canyon National Park spokesperson Joelle Baird, a spokeswoman told The New York Times.
On Sunday morning, two helicopters from the National Park Service and Arizona Department of Public Safety searched the North Kaibab Trail and Colorado River from the mouth of Bright Angel Creek to Deer Creek Narrows, though no missing people were found on those flights.
The National Park Service initially said 20 or more people were missing or unaccounted for but later revised its count.
open image in galleryAs of Sunday morning, 62 people had been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail, the National Park Service said in a previous statement,
More evacuations were scheduled from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch.
“The NPS is conducting an air evacuation of approximately 50 individuals from the Phantom Ranch area,” an active NPS alert reads.
A flood watch has been issued in the park through the end of the day Monday. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop throughout Sunday afternoon and evening, with conditions expected to worsen overnight into Monday.
“Flash flooding will be possible in creeks, normally dry washes, swimming holes, and over recently burned areas,” the Park Service said. “Raging killer currents will be possible in side canyons and narrow slot canyons. Low-water crossings may be flooded.”
open image in galleryThe entirety of the North Kaibab Trail, Phantom Ranch, and Silver and Black Bridges are closed until further notice.
“There is currently no estimated reopening date for these areas and other inner canyon closures may be necessary,” the Park Service said in a statement to The Washington Post.
The Colorado River is also closed due to debris.
Prior to the flooding, three hikers died from extreme heat in the canyon in June.
Phantom Ranch is a historic lodge in the Grand Canyon National Park near the bottom of the Grand Canyon by Bright Angel Creek.
The flash floods totaled one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch in 30 minutes, the National Weather Service said.
The rain caused flooding in and around the Bright Angel Creek Basin below the Dragon Bravo Fire scar, the weather service added. Heavy creek flow was ongoing as a result.
The American Red Cross also opened a shelter at Grand Canyon High School in Grand Canyon Village.