One of the nation’s most famously arid landmarks succumbed to deadly flash flooding over the weekend, leaving at least two people dead and roughly a dozen unaccounted for as more rain could lash Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona on Monday.
The body of a 46-year-old man’s was found near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, park officials said. His identity and the name of the second victim have not been released.
Earlier, the National Park Service said about 15 people could be missing after “nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, eliminating hiker access across the creek.”
The flooding on the canyon floor started Saturday afternoon after waves of rainfall thrashed Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch – the only lodging under the rim of the Grand Canyon. The ranch can be reached only on foot, by mule or by rafting the Colorado River.
