Grand Canyon flash flood: Torrents of water, debris sweep into Colorado River; over 20 missing

More than 20 people are missing after a powerful flash flood swept through parts of the Grand Canyon National Park in the US, carrying large boulders, metal structures and other debris into the Colorado River.

The National Park Service (NPS) said it was coordinating with Arizona authorities to evacuate people from the affected areas and determine who may have been in Bright Angel Canyon and around Phantom Ranch when the flooding occurred. Officials have also sought information from the public about missing people and hikers who were in the area.

The flooding started in Bright Angel Creek at around 2:30 pm on Saturday. The creek flows into the Colorado River, and the sudden surge of water washed away footbridges and changed sections of the landscape.

Torrents carry debris into river

Videos recorded after the flooding showed a widened creek bed, debris spread across the canyon and what appeared to be a new rapid in the Colorado River.

“This is a reminder of what a dynamic and active landscape the Grand Canyon is," Jack Schmidt, director of the Centre for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University, said.

Erica Viola, who survived the flooding, told The Associated Press that she was at Bright Angel Campground when heavy rain began. Around 50 other hikers watched as the creek rose quickly and debris moved through the area, including what appeared to be a bunkhouse. The group was later evacuated by helicopter.

Evacuations and closures

National Weather Service meteorologist Justin Johndrow said around 0.5 to 1 inch (1 to 2.5 cm) of rain fell in about 30 minutes. “Most of it ran off instantly," he said.

By Sunday morning, 62 people had been evacuated from Phantom Ranch. More evacuations were planned, while the Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch and parts of the North Kaibab Trail remained closed.

Rafting trips on the Colorado River were also temporarily suspended. The NPS warned that further thunderstorms and heavy rain could bring more flash flooding, debris flows and rockfall.

No injuries were reported as of Sunday.