A flash flood that swept through a remote area of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona this weekend destroyed footbridges and trails and led to evacuations of campgrounds. At least two bodies have been recovered, and one person remains unaccounted for.
Here’s what to know about the flooding and its aftermath.
Heavy rainfall triggered a domino effect of destruction.
The flash-flood event began at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch areas of Grand Canyon National Park, generating an onslaught of flooding and mudslides.
Large boulders and metal structures tumbled into the Colorado River, which barreled through the inner canyon corridor. Campgrounds were damaged. Footbridges, including those spanning Bright Angel Creek, were overwhelmed and swept away, cutting off hikers and campers from routes where they could have fled to safety.
One witness said Bright Angel Creek, which runs from near the north rim of the canyon down to the Colorado River, was transformed into a torrential flow of logs and debris.
Two people are confirmed dead.
The authorities asked the public for information about hikers or backpackers known to have been in, or had plans to explore, the Bright Angel Canyon, the North Kaibab Trail and the area around the Phantom Ranch, a cluster of century-old stone cabins nestled at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
The National Park Service said late Sunday that it had recovered the body of a 46-year-old man near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River. Officials confirmed Monday the death of a second man, but provided no additional information.
More than 80 people were rescued over the weekend, said Dave Black, the park’s incident commander. Most of them were lifted by helicopter from trails and damaged campgrounds and cabins.
At least one person remained unaccounted for on Monday.
The threat of more storms hangs over the rescue operation.
A “hazardous weather alert” for Grand Canyon National Park is in effect through Sept. 1.
Ground rescue teams faced the threat of more storms and flooding on Monday. Mr. Black said that four teams of rescuers with cadaver dogs would continue the search for the missing person on Tuesday.
The main entrances to Grand Canyon National Park from the north, south and east remained open on Monday, and the upper rims were available for general viewing. But officials warned that much of the park’s infrastructure, including hiking trails and footbridges, have been heavily damaged.
There are restrictions on lodging and water use. The park announced it will supply limited water at Mather Campground.
In addition to Bright Angel Lodge and Phantom Ranch, the authorities announced the closure on Monday of overnight accommodations at El Tovar, Maswik Lodge, Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village.