In brief
A sudden storm produced flash flooding in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area, leaving more than 20 hikers unaccounted for. The National Park Service reported that 62 people were airlifted to safety, with no injuries so far. Trail closures have been planned while the agency urges anyone who saw hikers on the Bright Angel Creek corridor to report it. The Grand Canyon draws five million visitors a year and the Bright Angel trail is the most popular. Officials stress that further storms could trigger additional flash floods, debris flows, rockfall, and changing conditions.
Flash flooding swept Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on Saturday, leaving over 20 hikers missing or unaccounted for.
The National Park Service said the floods hit at around 14:30 local time and forced 62 hikers to be airlifted out. No injuries have been reported.
Trails in the region are closed, and the park warned that additional storms could trigger more flash floods, debris flows, and rockfall, potentially altering trail and river conditions.
The Grand Canyon attracts about five million visitors each year, and the Bright Angel trail is the most popular. The inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor is only reachable by foot, mule, or by rafting the Colorado River.
Park officials are urging the public to report any hikers or backpackers seen in the area on Saturday to aid search efforts.
