Dave BlackNational Parks Service

One still missing after Grand Canyon flash floods kill two; crews to search Tuesday as more heavy rain raises flood risk

One person remains missing after flash floods in the Grand Canyon killed two and initially left 30 unaccounted for. Crews will search Tuesday as more heavy rain raises the risk of additional flooding, following significant flooding that began Saturday afternoon, according to the National Parks Service.

BBC BBC1 September 2026 · 14:03 UTC
CuriousCats Full Story

One person remains missing after devastating flash floods in the Grand Canyon that resulted in two fatalities and initially left 30 individuals unaccounted for. The National Parks Service (NPS) reported that crews worked tirelessly to locate the missing persons, with Incident Commander Dave Black stating, "Crews had 'worked incredibly hard trying to get this situation under control.'"123

The flooding began in Bright Angel Canyon around 14:30 local time on Saturday, leading to the evacuation of 45 people by air on the same day, followed by an additional 37 individuals evacuated by Sunday afternoon. The hardest-hit area was Phantom Ranch, where significant damage occurred, including the destruction of footbridges and the movement of boulders downstream.4

As search efforts continue, crews are set to deploy on Tuesday morning to locate the final missing person in the area between Phantom Ranch and Cottonwood Manzanita. However, the forecast of further heavy rain raises concerns about additional flash flooding, complicating rescue operations. Black emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting the elevated risk of more flooding as crews prepare for another challenging day ahead.5

Key Insight
“Incident Commander Dave Black said rangers 'worked tirelessly' to reduce the missing count from 30, with 45 people airlifted Saturday and 37 more evacuated by Sunday. Crews will deploy Tuesday morning to search the area between Phantom Ranch and Cottonwood Manzanita.”
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BBCBBC
“All but one person missing after flash flooding devastated parts of the Grand Canyon has now been found, the National Parks Service (NPS) says.”
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EARLIER IN THE STORY:
Flash flood kills Texas chiropractor and martial artist at Grand Canyon; third hiker still missing after 80 rescued
The Weather ChannelThe Weather Channel
Flash flood kills Texas chiropractor and martial artist at Grand Canyon; third hiker still missing after 80 rescued

The bodies of a Texas chiropractor and a lifelong martial artist have been found after a major flash flood swept through the Grand Canyon, with one person still unaccounted for after about 80 others were rescued over the weekend.

Bodies RecoveredColorado RiverCrystal Rapids
2026-09-01
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • The bodies of a Texas chiropractor and a lifelong martial artist have been found after a major flash flood swept through the Grand Canyon, with one person still unaccounted for after about 80 others were rescued over the weekend.
  • The two recovered bodies were identified as John Giusti, a chiropractor, and Brent Rosenkranz, 42, a martial arts studio owner, according to family liaison Hannah Barricks.
  • A third hiker, 53-year-old Wyoming pilot Timothy Smith, who went on the trip with them, was still missing as of late Monday.
  • Park officials recovered the body of a 46-year-old man Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, and later recovered a second body but provided no other details.
  • The three men spoke to their families Thursday and found their campsite Friday at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, but have not been heard from since.
  • All three men had ties to Granbury, Texas, and their families said they planned several days of hiking, camping, fishing and exploring together.
Flash floods kill two, leave over 20 unaccounted for at Grand Canyon; helicopters airlift hikers from Bright Angel Canyon
news.cgtn.comnews.cgtn.com
Flash floods kill two, leave over 20 unaccounted for at Grand Canyon; helicopters airlift hikers from Bright Angel Canyon

Helicopters plucked hikers from the Grand Canyon after flash floods tore through Bright Angel Canyon on Saturday, killing two and leaving more than 20 others unaccounted for.

Bright Angel CanyonDragon Bravo Burn ScarFlash Flood Rescue
2026-09-01
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Helicopters plucked hikers from the Grand Canyon after flash floods tore through Bright Angel Canyon on Saturday, killing two and leaving more than 20 others unaccounted for.
  • The rescue operation airlifted 62 people from Phantom Ranch and the North Kaibab Trail by Sunday morning, as search teams scoured the area for survivors.
  • A major flash flood struck Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas, carrying large boulders, metal structures and other debris into the Colorado River.
  • The flooding was triggered by intense monsoon rainfall and worsened by several environmental factors, including the 2025 Dragon Bravo wildfire burn scar, dry conditions, hardened soil and steep canyon terrain.
Flash floods hit Grand Canyon National Park, killing at least 2; Park Service says 20-plus may be missing as search continues
reuters.comreuters.com
Flash floods hit Grand Canyon National Park, killing at least 2; Park Service says 20-plus may be missing as search continues

At least two people were killed and as many as 20 or more others were unaccounted for after flash flooding struck the Grand Canyon in Arizona over the weekend, forcing the evacuation of dozens of hikers by helicopter, the National Park Service said.

Arizona RepublicCbs NewsFlash Floods
2026-09-01
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Heavy rains on Saturday sent a cascade of mud, boulders and debris rushing through Bright Angel Creek, a major side canyon that runs from the park's North Rim to the Colorado River, sweeping away trails, foot bridges and other infrastructure.
  • On Monday, the National Park Service confirmed that the bodies of two flood victims had been recovered, one a 46-year-old man whose remains were found on Sunday, while search-and-recovery operations continued along the canyon floor.
  • The Park Service said in a social media post on Sunday that it was seeking information about more than 20 individuals who may be missing or unaccounted for following Saturday's flood.
  • As of Sunday morning, 62 people had been evacuated from Phantom Ranch, an historic lodge and campground near the confluence of Bright Angel Creek and the Colorado River, and the North Kaibab Trail, which follows the creek through the canyon floor, according to the Park Service.
  • The popular South Rim of the park remained open to the public during the day on Monday, but overnight accommodations and other concessions were closed, with additional thunderstorms expected early this week.
  • The flooding caused extensive damage to infrastructure in the inner canyon, including the Transcanyon Waterline, which supplies water from the canyon for use in the park; with the system temporarily knocked out, the park was left with limited water reserves, requiring significant conservation measures.
Flash floods hit Grand Canyon National Park; at least two dead, 15 missing after surge of water and debris swept through Bright Angel Creek on Saturday
theguardian.comtheguardian.com
Flash floods hit Grand Canyon National Park; at least two dead, 15 missing after surge of water and debris swept through Bright Angel Creek on Saturday

At least two people have died and 15 remain missing or unaccounted for after a surge of water and debris swept through the Grand Canyon's Bright Angel Creek area on Saturday.

Bright Angel CreekCalifornia Institute For Water ResourcesDeadly Disaster
2026-08-31
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • At least two people have died and 15 remain missing or unaccounted for after a surge of water and debris swept through the Grand Canyon's Bright Angel Creek area on Saturday.
Deadly flash flood hits remote Grand Canyon lodge with fabled history; more than 60 evacuated by air, two dead, 15 missing
theguardian.comtheguardian.com
Deadly flash flood hits remote Grand Canyon lodge with fabled history; more than 60 evacuated by air, two dead, 15 missing

On Saturday afternoon, more than 60 people had to be evacuated by air from Phantom Ranch and the bottom of the adjacent North Kaibab Trail after a flash flood in Bright Angel Creek; two people are confirmed dead and at least 15 are still missing.

Deadly FloodLodge HistoryEvacuation
2026-08-31
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Flash floods hit Grand Canyon National Park, affecting a remote lodge and the North Kaibab Trail.
  • More than 60 people had to be evacuated by air from the ranch and the bottom of the adjacent North Kaibab Trail.
  • Two people are confirmed dead, and at least 15 are still missing.
Flash floods damage Grand Canyon's Transcanyon Waterline; park halts overnight hotel stays, enforces Stage 4 water restrictions and fire bans
Hindustan Times
Flash floods damage Grand Canyon's Transcanyon Waterline; park halts overnight hotel stays, enforces Stage 4 water restrictions and fire bans

Flash floods damaged the Transcanyon Waterline, forcing Grand Canyon National Park to halt overnight hotel stays and introduce strict Stage 4 water restrictions.

Bright Angel CanyonDelaware NorthFire Restrictions
2026-08-31
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Flash floods damaged the Transcanyon Waterline, forcing Grand Canyon National Park to halt overnight hotel stays and introduce strict Stage 4 water restrictions.
  • The floods hit Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch on Saturday, and the National Park Service (NPS) is working with Arizona authorities to evacuate people and account for individuals in the affected area.
  • Beginning at noon on August 31, the park will implement Stage 4 water restrictions on the South Rim, and the NPS said the restrictions will remain for the foreseeable future while crews assess damage.
  • All concession-operated overnight lodging on the South Rim will stop accepting guests beginning August 31, affecting Xanterra properties (El Tovar Hotel, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Phantom Ranch) and Delaware North properties (Yavapai Lodge, Trailer Village).
  • Officials said the damaged waterline has left the park with limited reserves, so immediate conservation is essential; the park remains open for day visitors, but some services may operate on reduced schedules.
  • Despite the restrictions, Grand Canyon National Park is not closing; day-use access continues, and essential services like South Rim food and beverage outlets, the Grand Canyon Clinic, and the Post Office remain operating, though hours may be reduced.
Grand Canyon flash floods close Phantom Ranch and North Kaibab Trail; 62 evacuated, 20 missing, as more storms threaten
National Park Service (.gov)National Park Service (.gov)
Grand Canyon flash floods close Phantom Ranch and North Kaibab Trail; 62 evacuated, 20 missing, as more storms threaten

A significant flash-flood event occurred in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on August 29, beginning at approximately 2:30 p.m.

American Red CrossArizona Department Of Public SafetyAssociated Press
2026-08-31
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Flash flood began in Bright Angel Creek at approximately 2:30 p.m. on August 29.
  • Nearly all footbridges over Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, significantly altering the landscape.
  • By the morning of August 30, 62 individuals had been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail.
  • More than 20 people are reported missing or unaccounted for following the flooding.
  • Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and the North Kaibab Trail are closed until further notice.
  • The Colorado River is closed to river traffic due to debris from the flooding.
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