At least one person died and 15 others are assumed to be missing after a flash flood hit Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park, authorities said on Sunday.
According to the National Park Service, the body of a 46-year-old man was recovered Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River. The flash flood also forced the evacuation of more than 60 people.
Rainfall on the Kaibab Plateau caused the flash flood at about 2:30 pm on Saturday in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area, according to park services.
People rescued by helicopter
Parth Desai was hiking in Bright Angel Canyon with a group when the rain started.
“We saw the creek flood, waterfalls coming up out of nowhere, boulders, mud, landslides happening everywhere,” he told the Associated Press.
Making their way toward Phantom Ranch, the group saw a 4-foot (1-meter) debris wall headed toward them, forcing them to run up into a patch of cacti, he said.
They were finally rescued by helicopter.
What caused the flash flood?
The National Weather Service said up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) of rain fell in about 20 minutes in the area, with much of it running down the steep terrain.
The natural phenomenon destroyed nearly all footbridges over Bright Angel Creek, and swept boulders and debris into the Colorado River.
Water restrictions were prompted after the flooding damaged the park’s sole water pipeline.
More thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected into Monday.
The park will remain open for day use. The Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch and parts of the North Kaibab Trail were closed on Sunday.
Overnight stays at lodges and hotels inside the park will be suspended from Monday. Colorado River rafting trips have also been halted.
Edited by: Rana Taha
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