THE TAKEAWAY
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Arizona — One person has died, roughly 15 people are missing and dozens more needed to be airlifted to safety as sudden flash flooding slammed Grand Canyon National Park Saturday afternoon.
Park officials said flooding began in Bright Angel Canyon around 2:30 p.m., and the National Park Service had to evacuate 62 individuals by air from the Phantom Ranch camping area and the lower North Kaibab Trail.
The National Park Service said roughly 15 people may be missing and are currently unaccounted for. The agency is asking anyone who knows of hikers or backpackers who were in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on Saturday to contact investigators.
11 RESCUED AFTER FLASH FLOODING SWEEPS BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK IN UTAH
Officials said more people were evacuated Sunday morning from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch amid the "significant" flash flood event.
A 46-year-old man has been found dead near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, according to Grand Canyon National Park. The Coconino County Medical Examiner is investigating. It is not yet clear whether the death is connected to Saturday’s flash flooding.
Officials said Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail from the trailhead to Phantom Ranch are closed until further notice.
The North Kaibab Trail is a strenuous 14-mile one-way trail that descends 5,800 feet from the park's North Rim to the Colorado River.
SEE IT: ROCKFALL AT ZION NATIONAL PARK CLOSES POPULAR PART OF PARK
The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge crossing the Colorado River are also closed. The National Park Service said there is no estimated reopening date for these areas, and other inner canyon closures may be necessary.
"The flash flood resulted in significant impacts to infrastructure throughout Bright Angel Canyon. Nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, eliminating hiker access across the creek. Grand Canyon National Park staff are continuing to assess damage to trails, bridges, utilities, facilities and other infrastructure," the National Park Service said in a press release.
Reports from the National Weather Service indicate a metal building was washed into the Colorado River and many bridges at Phantom Ranch were also washed out.
WATCH: FISHERMAN NARROWLY AVOIDS BISON ENCOUNTER IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
The flooding caused extensive damage to infrastructure in the inner canyon, including the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water from the canyon for use in the park.
The National Park Service said the waterline is currently not operational, and Stage 4 water restrictions will go into effect on the South Rim at noon on Monday.
Authorities said the Colorado River is currently closed to river traffic until further notice due to metal structures and debris entering the river. People already in the canyon are receiving direction through river operations rangers and the Grand Canyon River Alert system to get to safety, according to the National Park Service.
The National Park Service said evacuees are being transported to the Maswik Lodge Cafeteria on the South Rim, where the American Red Cross is coordinating assistance.
SEE IT: TOURISTS CAUGHT WANDERING ON DANGEROUS AND DEADLY EDGE OF YELLOWSTONE HOT SPRING
Starting Monday, all park concessions will halt overnight accommodations, and only dry camping will be permitted. Click here for the latest.
The FOX Forecast Center said that while rain totals only reached 1 to 1.75 inches for the hardest-hit areas, that was enough to cause significant issues in part of the park.
Another campground reported one foot of standing water, and several trails were flooded and remain impassible. Gauges along the Colorado River spiked by as much as 9 feet as the rain began to flow through the canyon.
The event highlights just how quickly heavy monsoon rain can become dangerous across the region's steep terrain, dry washes and narrow canyons, the FOX Forecast Center said.
TOURIST DIES IN DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK AFTER BECOMING STRANDED IN TRIPLE-DIGIT HEAT
The National Park Service said visitors with upcoming river trips should contact their commercial outfitter or NPS River Permits for specific information about their trip.
Xanterra — which is the largest national park concessions management company in the U.S. — will be in touch with guests that have future Phantom Ranch reservations about the status of their reservations, according to park officials.
Officials said anyone with information should contact the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB) at 888-653-0009 or by filling out this form.
The storms come amid monsoon season, which happens in the Southwest from late June to September.
ICONIC COTTONWOOD TREE IN WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK TOPPLES AFTER INTENSE MONSOON STORMS
Additional thunderstorms and heavy rain are possible on Monday, which could result in more flash flooding, debris flows, rockfall and changing trail and river conditions, the National Park Service warned.
TOXIC ALGAE DETECTED AT COLORADO'S LARGEST RESERVOIR AS OFFICIALS WARN VISITORS OF HEALTH RISKS
The FOX Forecast Center said deep moisture will remain in place across much of Arizona, Utah and western Colorado as disturbances moving into the Southwest help trigger another round of widespread thunderstorms.
The greatest concern will again be flash flooding. A Level 3 out of 4 flash flood threat has been introduced for a larger portion of Utah. A Level 2 out of 4 threat exists once again for northern Arizona.
While some storms will move along at a reasonable pace, the overall setup could allow repeated rounds of thunderstorms to track over the same areas.
Rain rates over an inch per hour will be possible in the strongest storms, and areas that received heavy rain over the weekend will be especially vulnerable.
SOUTHWEST MONSOON SEASON UNDERWAY AMID DRAMATIC ATMOSPHERIC FLIP FROM HEAT TO FLASH FLOODING
The highest flood concern is centered across parts of Utah and far southern Arizona, with a broader flash flood threat extending across much of Arizona, Utah and western Colorado.
Flood Watches remain in effect until at least Monday evening.
The park remains open for day use, but some operations may have reduced hours.
The post 1 dead, 15 unaccounted for after sudden Grand Canyon flooding wreaks havoc, forces dozens to be airlifted appeared first on Fox Weather
