At least one dead and 15 missing after flash flooding in the Grand Canyon

At least one person has died and 15 are missing after a major flood in the Grand Canyon of the Colorado that forced the evacuation of dozens of people and dragged large rocks, metal structures and other debris into the Colorado River that runs through it, according to the National Park Service.

Park authorities have indicated in a statement on social networks that for now the body of a 46-year-old man has been found near Crystal Rapids, in the Colorado River. “There is no additional information to share at this time,” he noted, after stating that about 15 people are missing and that more than 60 have been evacuated from the place.

Likewise, it has announced the imposition of “water restrictions” in the area after the “significant flash flood” recorded late on Saturday. “The floods damaged the Transcanyon pipeline, leaving the park with limited water reserves,” he specified. The torrents of water washed away the pedestrian walkways over the creek and significantly altered the landscape, widening the channel and creating what appears to be a new rapid in the river.

The authorities have called for “citizen collaboration” to locate the missing, before adding that the staff of the Grand Canyon National Park “continues with evacuation and response efforts, and works to locate people who may have been in the affected area.”

Specifically, the agency has asked “anyone who knows hikers or backpackers who were inside the canyon, along the Bright Angel Creek corridor, on August 29, as well as those who had a reservation at a campground in the affected area, to provide information to the Research Services Division (ISB) of the National Park Service.”

The number of missing people represents a reduction over the 20 people that the Service claimed to be looking for in a message published shortly before on social networks, where the National Park authorities have been reporting on what happened.

In addition, as indicated by the agency in another statement, up to "62 people had been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab trail" as of Sunday morning. “This is a reminder of how dynamic and active the Grand Canyon landscape is,” said Jack Schmidt, director of the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University.

Popular tourist spots such as Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch and sections of the North Kaibab Trail remained closed Sunday while park officials assessed the damage. Rafting tours on the Colorado River have also been suspended for the time being.

Erica Viola said she was at Camp Bright Angel when it started raining Saturday afternoon. She and 50 other hikers watched as the creek rose and debris began to pass, including what appeared to be a bunkhouse. The group was brought to safety by helicopter, ending their adventure two days ahead of schedule.

Between 1 and 2.5 centimeters of rain fell in about 30 minutes in the rocky area, where there is a steep drop, said Justin Johndrow, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Flagstaff. “Most of it drained away instantly,” he noted.

He added that the flooding occurred on the north slope of the Grand Canyon, where Bright Angel Creek descends from the North Rim to the Colorado River, with a drop of about 1,828 meters. More rain and storms were forecast in the area heading into Monday.