Weather forecasters warned rain and thunderstorms could bring more flooding to the popular tourist attraction from where scores of visitors were evacuated following the storm-fueled flood Saturday in Bright Angel Creek.
The deluge also seriously damaged the only water pipeline in the canyon, leading to emergency water restrictions for year-round residents, and tourists have been barred from staying at lodges and hotels inside the park.
Video from the area showed a force of muddy, debris-filled floodwaters carrying what appeared to be remnants of a bunkhouse and rocks through the canyon. Four “waves of rainfall” over two creek drainages during the weekend resulted in rapid onset flash flooding, the National Weather Service said. The National Park Service says the area gets less than 10 inches of rain per year on average.
At least two bodies have been recovered and others remain missing
The body of a 46-year-old man was recovered Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, the National Park Service said without providing details. At least one other body has been recovered, according to a statement posted on Facebook by the Grand Canyon National Park. It provided no other details.
More than 60 people have been airlifted from the depths of the canyon. The park service asked anyone with details about hikers or campers still unaccounted for to come forward with information. The Arizona Department of Public Safety helped with evacuations Sunday.
A hiker describes his terrifying dash for safety
Parth Desai was hiking through a narrow passage in Bright Angel Canyon with fellow physicians and a park ranger when heavy rain started falling Saturday.
“We saw the creek flood, waterfalls coming up out of nowhere, boulders, mud, landslides happening everywhere,” he said.
Later, as they made their way toward Phantom Ranch, a colleague shouted “Up, Up, Up, Up!” as a 4-foot debris wall headed toward them and they ran up into a patch of cacti, he said. They were rescued by helicopter late Saturday after making it to the Phantom Ranch area, he said.
