Powerful flash floods tore through parts of the Grand Canyon over the weekend, crippling a key water supply line and prompting the National Park Service to impose severe water conservation measures as crews continue searching for hikers who may still be missing.
The NPS said stage four water restrictions would take effect at 12:00 p.m. Monday after Saturday’s flooding caused “extensive damage to infrastructure,” including the Transcanyon Waterline, the critical system that delivers water across the park. Officials said one person has died and as many as 15 others could be unaccounted for, though they emphasized that number remains an estimate.
On Sunday night, park authorities confirmed that the body of a 46-year-old man had been recovered from the Colorado River. His name has not yet been released to the public.
The National Park Service is now asking for the public’s help as it works to determine the whereabouts of 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,” NPS said in a statement.
At least 62 people have been evacuated from the affected areas since the floodwaters hit on Saturday, according to park officials.
Under the stage four restrictions, visitors in other areas of the park will face mandatory dry camping with no access to water spigots, temporary shutdowns of overnight lodging, and a ban on fires across the South Rim and inner canyon.
The flooding struck Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on Aug. 29, the NPS said. Officials also reported that nearly every footbridge crossing Bright Angel Creek was washed away or 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 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.”
