Two dead in Grand Canyon after flash flood, park service says
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A still image from video shows people crossing a bridge amid flash flooding in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, on Aug 29.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Heavy flash flooding in Grand Canyon National Park on August 29 caused trail destruction, infrastructure damage, and forced helicopter evacuation of 62 hikers.
- One body of a 46-year-old man was recovered, and a second body was confirmed, with over 20 hikers possibly missing or unaccounted for.
- The South Rim remains open during the day but many areas are closed due to damage and ongoing search-and-recovery efforts amid expected more thunderstorms.
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LOS ANGELES - One body has been recovered following flash flooding in Grand Canyon National Park over the weekend and recovery operations are under way for a second body on Aug 31, the National Park Service (NPS) told Reuters.
Heavy rainfall brought surging waters through the canyon on Aug 29, destroying trails and footbridges, damaging infrastructure that carries water for use throughout the park, and forcing 62 hikers to be evacuated by helicopter by the morning of Aug 30, according to the NPS.
Park officials reported on Aug 30 that the body of a 46-year-old man had been found. In a post on X, the NPS said “more than 20 individuals” might be missing or unaccounted for and sought information from the public about any hikers who might have been in the path of the raging waters.
In response to questions from Reuters on Aug 31, the NPS confirmed the existence of the second body but did not offer more details about the victim or provide an updated count of the missing.
With additional thunderstorms expected early this week and stringent water-use restrictions in place, the South Rim of the park remained open during the day on Aug 31 but overnight accommodations and other concessions were closed.
Several hiking and lodging areas affected by the floods remained fully shuttered on Aug 31.
The NPS asked that visitors remain away from the closed areas while search-and-recovery operations continue. REUTERS
