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Dozens evacuated and about 15 missing after Grand Canyon flash flood
Confirmed
At least one person is dead and more than a dozen others are missing or unaccounted for after flash floods overwhelmed a remote area of the Grand Canyon, including a historic lodge near the bottom of the site, park officials said Sunday afternoon.
Updated on: August 30, 2026 / 10:05 PM EDT / CBS News Some 15 people are believed to be missing in Grand Canyon National Park, and dozens have been evacuated after parts of the canyon were hit by "significant" flash flooding, which swept large boulders, metal structures and other debris into the Colorado River, officials said Sunday.
At least 15 people are feared missing after major flash flooding hit the Grand Canyon in the US state of Arizona, the National Park Service has said. Grand Canyon National Park said Sunday night on social media that the body of a 46-year-old man had been recovered near Crystal Rapids, but did not say if he was one of the people believed to be missing or if his death was believed to be related to the flooding.
“The flash flood resulted in significant impacts to infrastructure throughout Bright Angel Canyon,” the National Park Service said in a statement. "Grand Canyon National Park staff, in coordination with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, are continuing evacuation and response efforts and working to account for individuals who may have been in the affected area," NPS said in a statement.
Baggs said she and her friends had just dropped off their belongings at a cabin in Phantom Ranch - a remote lodge at the bottom of the Grand Canyon - when they decided to venture out to enjoy the nice day. "The whole thing was terrifying," said Nikki Baggs, 41, who was among those to be airlifted out of the bottom of the Grand Canyon on Saturday alongside her two friends.
As of Sunday morning, 62 people were evacuated due to flooding in the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas on Saturday afternoon, the National Park Service said. The park service earlier Sunday said 15 people were missing or unaccounted for, down from a previous estimate of 20.
The National Park Service said Sunday night that the flooding caused "extensive damage to infrastructure in the inner canyon, including the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water from the canyon for use in the park.
“The National Park Service is asking the public to provide information for approximately 15 individuals who may be missing or unaccounted for following a significant flash-flood event,” it said in a statement. Nikki Baggs posed for this photo just before the rain hit The NPS initially said in a press release it was looking for information about more than 20 people who were thought to be missing or unaccounted for.
What's confirmed
- At least 15 people are feared missing after major flash flooding hit the Grand Canyon in the US state of Arizona, the National Park Service has said.
- As of Sunday morning, 62 people were evacuated due to flooding in the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas on Saturday afternoon, the National Park Service said .
- "Grand Canyon National Park staff, in coordination with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, are continuing evacuation and response efforts and working to account for individuals who may have been in the affected…
- Updated on: August 30, 2026 / 10:05 PM EDT / CBS News Some 15 people are believed to be missing in Grand Canyon National Park, and dozens have been evacuated after parts of the canyon were hit by "significant" flash…
- Grand Canyon National Park said Sunday night on social media that the body of a 46-year-old man had been recovered near Crystal Rapids, but did not say if he was one of the people believed to be missing or if his…
- At least one person is dead and more than a dozen others are missing or unaccounted for after flash floods overwhelmed a remote area of the Grand Canyon, including a historic lodge near the bottom of the site, park…
- The park service earlier Sunday said 15 people were missing or unaccounted for, down from a previous estimate of 20.
- “The flash flood resulted in significant impacts to infrastructure throughout Bright Angel Canyon,” the National Park Service said in a statement.
What's still developing
- “The National Park Service is asking the public to provide information for approximately 15 individuals who may be missing or unaccounted for following a significant flash-flood event,” it said in a statement.
- Park authorities evacuated at least 62 people from the popular tourist spot after the flooding caused significant damage, officials said earlier.
- The National Park Service said Sunday night that the flooding caused "extensive damage to infrastructure in the inner canyon, including the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water from the canyon for use in the park.
- A flood watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for all of northern and central Arizona through Monday evening, NWS Flagstaff said.
- "Flash flooding will be possible in creeks, normally dry washes, swimming holes, and over recently burned areas," the NWS alert said.
- The area's already-saturated soils and "deep monsoonal moisture" increase the risk of flash flooding, according to forecasters.
- "The whole thing was terrifying," said Nikki Baggs, 41, who was among those to be airlifted out of the bottom of the Grand Canyon on Saturday alongside her two friends.
- Baggs said she and her friends had just dropped off their belongings at a cabin in Phantom Ranch - a remote lodge at the bottom of the Grand Canyon - when they decided to venture out to enjoy the nice day.