Flash Floods Hit Grand Canyon Following Heavy Downpour: 1 Dead, 15 Missing

A sudden flash flood triggered by torrential rain of up to 25 millimeters per hour has left one person dead and about 15 others missing at the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, U.S.

The flood also disrupted the water supply, making overnight stays within the national park impossible.

According to local media outlets including the Associated Press and CBS News on the 30th (local time), a flash flood suddenly struck the areas of Bright Angel Creek and Phantom Ranch inside the Grand Canyon National Park the previous afternoon.

Park authorities reported that the whereabouts of 15 people remain unknown so far.

Structures such as bridges were destroyed by the floods, and around 60 hikers and campers at the scene were rescued via helicopters and other means.

The body of a 46-year-old man was found on the evening of the 30th near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River.

Park authorities explained that due to a problem with the main water pipeline supplying water to the Grand Canyon National Park, overnight accommodations at lodges and hotels within the park will become unavailable starting from the 31st.

The Grand Canyon receives 6 million annual visitors, and about 1,600 residents live in Grand Canyon Village.

The U.S. National Weather Service stated that heavy rain of 12.7 to 25.4 millimeters poured down in just 20 minutes over the extremely steep rocky terrain, and this combined with a severe rainstorm to cause the flood.

David Gregory, who was hiking at the time, told CNN, "I noticed the canyon water turning into muddy water and flowing increasingly fiercely," adding that he evacuated to a nearby high school by helicopter.

Another camper, Erica Viola, said she saw accommodation buildings being washed away as the canyon waters rose, and she also evacuated by helicopter.

Due to the fast and strong currents, almost all pedestrian bridges between Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, and even the geography of the Colorado River reportedly changed.

The AP reported that there is a possibility of additional rainfall through the 31st.

Park officials stated that they will continue to carry out additional evacuation operations and have closed parts of the Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch, and the North Kaibab Trail.

It is reported that no casualties involving South Korean nationals have been reported in connection with this Grand Canyon flood.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.