Flash Flood Forces Evacuations In Grand Canyon

By Mintesinot Nigussie  |  August 31, 2026

A flash flood in Grand Canyon National Park has forced the evacuation of at least 62 people from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail, with further evacuations planned as authorities assess extensive damage caused by the flooding.

The National Park Service said the flash-flood event began at about 2:30pm on August 29 in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area. No injuries had been reported as of the morning of August 30.

Additional people were scheduled to be evacuated from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch in coordination with the National Park Service and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Evacuees are being taken to the Maswik Lodge Cafeteria on the South Rim, where the American Red Cross is providing assistance.

Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch have been closed until further notice. The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge over the Colorado River are also closed.

The flooding destroyed nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek, cutting off hiker access across the creek. Park staff are continuing to assess damage to trails, bridges, utilities, facilities and other infrastructure.

The Colorado River has also been closed to river traffic after metal structures and debris entered the water. River parties already in the canyon are receiving instructions from river operations rangers and through the Grand Canyon River Alert system.

The park service warned that further thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are possible on August 30 and August 31, potentially causing additional flash floods, debris flows, rockfalls and changes to trail and river conditions.

Source: FSX Business News