A burst of severe flash flooding tore through parts of the Grand Canyon over the weekend, damaging a key water line and prompting the National Park Service to impose tight water limits as search efforts continue for hikers who remain unaccounted for.
The NPS said stage four water restrictions will take effect at 12:00 p.m. Monday after Saturday’s flooding caused “extensive damage to infrastructure,” including the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water to the park. Officials said one person has died and as many as 15 others may be missing, though they emphasized that figure is still an estimate.
Authorities confirmed that the body of a 46-year-old man was recovered from the Colorado River on Sunday night. His name has not been released publicly.
Bright Angel Creek near the Phantom Ranger Station in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, after flash flooding from storms on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Parth Desai via AP)
The National Park Service has asked the public for help gathering information about the 15 people believed to be missing.
“The National Park Service is asking anyone who knows of hikers or backpackers who were in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on August 29, as well as anyone who had a campground reservation in the affected corridor, to provide information to the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch,” the agency said in a statement.
A photo provided by the National Park Service shows the remains of stone bridge pylons along Bright Angel Creek in the Grand Canyon after a flash flood destroyed the footbridge on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (James Thompson/National Park Service via AP)
Since the flooding began Saturday, park officials said at least 62 people have been evacuated.
The stage 4 water restrictions affecting the rest of the park include forced dry camping with no access to water spigots, the temporary closure of overnight lodgings, and a strict no-fire rule for the South Rim and inner canyon areas.
The flooding struck Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on Aug. 29, according to NPS, which added that nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said state emergency officials are coordinating with federal and local authorities as the search continues.
“My heart is with the families and loved ones of every person unaccounted for after the flash flooding at the Grand Canyon,” Hobbs wrote on X. “DEMA is coordinating with NPS and Coconino County Emergency Management to support search and recovery efforts.”
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs released a statement following flash flooding in the Grand Canyon this weekend. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes called the flash flooding “devastating” and thanked first responders for searching for those still unaccounted for and evacuating others from the affected area.
“The physical damage includes a historic lodge near the bottom of the site and untold environmental upheaval,” Fontes said in a statement. “I send my prayers to the community as the search for those unaccounted for continues.”
