One person died and about 15 people are missing or unaccounted for after a major flash flood at the Grand Canyon in Flagstaff, Ariz., the National Park Service said Sunday. The flood forced evacuations, swept large boulders into the Colorado River and knocked out the sole water pipeline serving tourists and residents. Starting Monday, tourists cannot stay overnight at lodges and hotels inside Grand Canyon National Park, and residents are being asked to conserve water. More rain and thunderstorms were possible into Monday.
Bright Angel Creek near the Phantom Ranger Station in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, is seen after flash flooding from storms, Aug. 29. AP-Yonhap
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — One person died and about 15 people are missing or unaccounted for after a major flash flood at the Grand Canyon forced evacuations, swept large boulders into the Colorado River and knocked out the sole water pipeline that serves tourists and residents, the National Park Service said Sunday.
The body of a 46-year-old man was recovered Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, the park service said without providing additional details. Coroner’s officials were at the scene.
Weekend flooding in Arizona’s Bright Angel Creek, which flows into the river, happened Saturday afternoon. More than 60 people were evacuated from the depths of the canyon. The park service said it had yet to account for 15 people and asked anyone with details about hikers or campers in the canyon to get in touch. The Arizona Department of Public Safety was helping with additional evacuations Sunday.
