One person has died and about 15 others remain missing or unaccounted for after a flash flood tore through the Grand Canyon in Arizona, forcing the evacuation of dozens of hikers and campers.
The body of a 46-year-old man was recovered on Sunday near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, according to the National Park Service. Officials have not released his identity or further details.
The flooding struck Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area at about 2.30pm local time on Saturday, August 29. More than 60 people were evacuated from the depths of the canyon, with further evacuations carried out in co-ordination with the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Park officials are asking anyone with information about hikers or backpackers who were in the Bright Angel Creek corridor to come forward. The appeal covers people who may have been on the North Kaibab Trail, staying at Bright Angel Campground or travelling through an area known as the Box.
The torrent destroyed nearly all the footbridges across Bright Angel Creek and sent boulders, metal structures and other debris into the Colorado River. The National Park Service said the damage to trails, bridges, utilities and other facilities was still being assessed.
Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground and the entire North Kaibab Trail are closed until further notice, while the Black Bridge and Silver Bridge crossings have also been shut. River traffic through the affected section has been suspended because of debris in the water.
The flooding also damaged the main water pipeline serving the park. The Associated Press reported that overnight stays at lodges and hotels inside Grand Canyon National Park were due to be suspended from Monday, while year-round residents were asked to conserve supplies.
Further thunderstorms and heavy rain were possible into Monday, with the National Weather Service maintaining a flood watch until 5am local time across wide areas of south-central Arizona, including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson and surrounding counties.
