A major flash flood tore through a remote area of the Grand Canyon on August 29, prompting concerns for the safety of more than 20 people who may be missing or unaccounted for.
As of Sunday morning, 62 people had been evacuated from the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch area, where the flooding occurred. Park officials are urging the public to come forward with any information about hikers or backpackers who may have been in the affected area during the flood.
The flooding destroyed nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek, and officials are warning of further flash flooding, debris flows, and rockfall due to possible thunderstorms and heavy rain on Sunday and Monday. Park staff and the Arizona Department of Public Safety are continuing evacuation and response operations.
The National Park Service is asking anyone with information about hikers or backpackers who were in the inner canyon along Bright Angel Creek on August 29 to contact investigators. This includes anyone with a campground reservation in the affected area. Officials are trying to identify people who may have been traveling on the North Kaibab Trail, staying at Bright Angel Campground, or passing through an area known as "the Box" north of Phantom Ranch.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch Tip Line at 888-653-0009 or nps_isb@nps.gov.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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