More than 20 missing, 62 airlifted from Grand Canyon after extreme flash flooding

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. - Flash flooding in Bright Angel Canyon prompted emergency air evacuations at the Grand Canyon on Aug. 29, anchoring a day of severe monsoon weather that brought blistering heat, blinding dust and dangerous flood threats across Arizona.

What we know:

National Park Service crews initiated an aerial evacuation of "approximately 50 individuals" from the Phantom Ranch area after floodwaters surged through the canyon around 2:30 p.m.

Concessionaire Xanterra is contacting guests regarding future reservations, and authorities are warning the public not to enter any closed areas.

What they're saying:

By the following morning, 62 people had been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail. 

NPS stated, "Additional individuals are scheduled to be evacuated this morning from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch in coordination with the National Park Service and Arizona Department of Public Safety. Evacuees are being transported to the Maswik Lodge Cafeteria on the South Rim, where the American Red Cross is coordinating assistance."

No injuries have been reported.

Area closures until further notice

• Phantom Ranch
• Bright Angel Campground
• Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins
• Entire North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch
• The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge crossing the Colorado River
• Colorado River due to metal structures and debris entering the river.

"There is currently no estimated reopening date for these areas and other inner canyon closures may be necessary. For the latest trail and closure information, visit the park's Key Hiking Messages webpage," stated NPS officials.

The American Red Cross added that five specialized volunteers were on the ground supporting evacuees.

"They were there yesterday and through the night last night, and they are going to continue to be there as the response continues," said Asher Furedy of the American Red Cross on Sunday.

Unaccounted Individuals:

The NPS is asking for the public's help with information about more than 20 individuals who may be missing or unaccounted for. 

What you can do:

Anyone who may know of hikers or backpackers that were in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on Aug. 29, and anyone who had a campground reservation in that area, is asked to contact NPS' Investigative Service Brance (ISB) at 888-653-0009 or email nsp_isb@nps.gov. Officials ask that information includes the individuals' names, approximate location, travel plans, group size, clothing or backpack description, and when they were last known to be in the area.

This also includes people who traveled along the North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch, staying at Bright Angel Campground, or traveling or staying in the area known as "the Box" north of Phantom Ranch. 

What's next:

NPS says nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, eliminating hiker access across the creek. Grand Canyon National Park staff are continuing to assess damage to trails, bridges, utilities, facilities and other infrastructure as heavy rainfall remains a threat on Aug. 30 and Aug. 31, potentially causing additional flash flooding, debris flows and rock falls.

Beginning at noon on Aug. 31, Grand Canyon National Park will enact Stage 4 water restrictions across the South Rim after the flash flooding rendered the crucial Transcanyon Waterline non-operational. While the park remains open for day use — with food services, the clinic and the post office continuing operations — all overnight park lodging will halt, including El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Phantom Ranch and Trailer Village. Campgrounds will shift exclusively to dry camping with spigots shut off, a total ban on wood and charcoal fires is in effect and all visitors and residents are asked to rigorously conserve remaining water supplies.

Map of where rescue crews airlifted dozens of people to safety:

Flooding expected to hit metro Phoenix next

The high-country disaster capped a record-hot day in the Valley, where Phoenix hit 113 degrees alongside an overnight record-warm low of 94.

The weather threat is now shifting south directly into the Valley. Severe thunderstorms building across southern Arizona are pushing powerful outflow boundaries north toward Maricopa and Pinal counties. A blowing dust advisory was in effect Saturday night, with dust storms threatening wind gusts up to 55 mph and visibility dropping below one mile on local freeways. Torrential downpours following the dust wall have triggered flash flood watches for the entire Phoenix metro area through late Saturday night.

Another strong round of blowing dust, damaging winds and flash flooding is expected late evening on Sunday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Aug. 31, before conditions finally dry out on Tuesday, Sept. 1.