By Open Chronicle with agencies

One person has died and at least 15 people remain unaccounted for after powerful flash floods swept through parts of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, triggering evacuations and causing extensive damage to trails and infrastructure.

At least 62 people were evacuated as emergency crews responded to flooding in the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas, according to information from the National Park Service.

The flooding struck on Saturday afternoon, sending water and debris through sections of the canyon and leaving hikers cut off from normal access routes.

Body recovered near Colorado River

The body of a 46 year old man was recovered on Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, the National Park Service said. Authorities did not immediately release further details about the victim or the circumstances surrounding his death.

Search operations were continuing for 15 people who authorities believe may have been in the affected areas when the flooding occurred.

Officials have appealed to relatives, friends and other members of the public with information about hikers or backpackers who were in Bright Angel Canyon and surrounding areas to contact the authorities.

The National Park Service is conducting emergency operations in coordination with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and other responding agencies.

Footbridges destroyed

The flooding caused significant damage inside the canyon, particularly along Bright Angel Creek.

Most of the footbridges crossing the creek were destroyed, severely restricting access to some areas and complicating both evacuation and search operations.

Bright Angel Canyon is one of the Grand Canyon’s major hiking corridors. At the same time, Phantom Ranch, located near the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon, is accessible primarily by trail, mule or river.

Damage to bridges and trails therefore presents major logistical challenges for rescuers trying to reach isolated locations.

62 people evacuated

At least 62 people were evacuated following the floods as rescue teams worked to move visitors away from dangerous areas.

Authorities have not yet established how many people may have been travelling independently through the affected sections of the park, making the search for the missing particularly difficult.

Crews are expected to continue searching trails, canyon areas and sections along the Colorado River while assessing damage caused by the floodwaters.

Further flooding remains possible

The danger has not passed.

The National Park Service warned that additional heavy rain and thunderstorms could affect the region, potentially producing further flash floods.

Debris flows and rockfalls are also possible, particularly in steep canyon terrain where saturated ground and rapidly moving water can destabilise slopes.

Visitors have been urged to pay close attention to official weather forecasts, emergency warnings and park closures.

Flash flooding is particularly dangerous inside the Grand Canyon because intense rainfall can rapidly funnel enormous volumes of water through narrow side canyons and drainage channels, sometimes affecting locations far from where the rain originally fell.

Search operation continues

The disaster comes during a period of significant visitor activity at one of America’s most famous national parks.

More than 400,000 people visited Grand Canyon National Park last month, while more than 4.4 million visitors entered the park during 2025, according to federal figures cited in the supplied information.

For emergency crews, the immediate priority remains locating the missing and determining whether additional hikers were caught in the flooding.

Search and evacuation operations are continuing as authorities monitor the possibility of further severe weather.