National Park Service confirms second death from weekend flash flood as area braces for more storms
A second death was confirmed by National Park Service officials on Monday after aflash flood sent a surge of water and debris through an area of the Grand Canyon over the weekend.
Dozens of visitors had to be evacuated by helicopter during the deluge that consumed trails and infrastructure. Fifteen people are still missing or unaccounted for, as more heavy rain and thunderstorms in the forecasts threaten additional debris flows, flash floods or rockfalls, the NPS said in a statement.
“With deep monsoonal moisture in place and already saturated soils in some locations, an elevated risk of flash flooding will be in place through Monday,” the National Weather Service (NWS) said.
Park officials are calling on the public to provide any information on those who may have been hiking or backpacking in the inner canyon near Bright Angel Creek, or campers with a reservation in the area.
