Two people have died and one remains missing following a devastating flash flood that swept through the Grand Canyon on 29 August at 14:30 local time. The flooding struck Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch, prompting the evacuation of approximately 80 people by air over the weekend. According to Incident Commander Dave Black, rangers "worked tirelessly" to account for those affected, reducing the number of unaccounted individuals from an initial 30 to just one by Monday.
The two victims have been identified as John Giusti, 46, of Texas, and Brent Rosenkranz, 42, of Granbury, Texas, according to local news reports. One body was recovered near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River. The missing person has been identified by family as Timothy Smith, a 53-year-old Wyoming pilot, according to the same source. Officials said late Monday there was no reason to believe anyone else remained missing beyond Smith.
The initial evacuation on 29 August involved 45 people airlifted by air, with a remaining group of 37 evacuated by Sunday afternoon, Black said during a Monday press conference. He described the rescue effort as intensive, noting that crews "worked incredibly hard trying to get this situation under control."
Nikki Baggs, 41, was among those evacuated from the canyon floor alongside two companions. She described the moment the weather transformed from serene to catastrophic.
"The whole thing was terrifying. It was a beautiful day and then people were screaming, running."Baggs and her friends had just deposited their belongings at a cabin in Phantom Ranch—a secluded lodge situated at the bottom of the Grand Canyon—when they decided to explore the area and take advantage of the pleasant conditions. Within moments, torrents of water began advancing through the canyon.
Upon recognizing the danger, Baggs and her companions immediately sought higher ground, initially taking shelter at a picnic table. Park rangers then directed them to relocate to a different ledge, where they remained with other stranded visitors for several hours before being evacuated around 21:30 local time. From their elevated position, Baggs witnessed the destructive power of the floodwaters firsthand.
"We watched from higher ground as bridges were swept away."Despite having anticipated a steak dinner at Phantom Ranch, Baggs expressed gratitude for the coordinated response from park personnel.
"It was a really uniquely coordinated effort. That's what made us feel safe about all of it in an unsafe situation."
What damage has the flooding caused?
The deluge inflicted substantial damage across portions of the canyon system. Nearly all footbridges across Bright Angel Creek were destroyed by the floodwaters, which also propelled boulders downstream. The National Park Service confirmed that flooding had caused significant destruction in certain areas, and multiple trails in the region remain closed.
The damage extended to critical infrastructure serving the park's visitors and residents. According to the National Park Service, preliminary assessments indicated that approximately 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline, which delivers water for visitors and approximately 2,500 residents, was damaged or destroyed in the flood, according to official reports.
Which facilities and trails have been closed?
The National Park Service closed multiple facilities and routes in response to the flooding and its aftermath. According to the National Park Service, closures beginning on 29 August at 14:30 local time include the North Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch, all facilities at Phantom Ranch (including Bright Angel Campground, the canteen and cabins), Black Bridge, Silver Bridge, and the Colorado River.
Where are the missing people located?
Search and recovery operations were ongoing following the flooding. According to Incident Commander Black, crews were due to be deployed on Tuesday morning to search for the final missing person in the area between Phantom Ranch and Cottonwood Manzanita.
What are the ongoing weather risks?
Park officials have warned of continued hazardous conditions in the days following the initial flooding. The National Park Service forecasted additional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall for the days after the initial event, which could trigger further flash flooding, debris flows, rockfall and unpredictable changes to trail and river conditions. Further heavy rain was forecast overnight from Monday into Tuesday, bringing an elevated risk of additional flash flooding to the area.
The recent rains in the Grand Canyon area, and more widely in south-western parts of the United States, are due to monsoonal showers. A change in wind direction at this time of year pulls warm, moist air northward from the Gulf of California and the tropical Pacific, triggering storms over mountainous terrain. The storms are difficult to pinpoint in forecasts and so can strike without warning. But because the ground is usually very dry, any heavy downpours lead to dangerous flash flooding and frequent lightning which increases the threat of wildfires.
Why is this area significant?
The Grand Canyon ranks among the most visited national parks in the United States, drawing approximately five million visitors annually. The Bright Angel Trail holds the distinction of being the park's most heavily trafficked hiking route, making the incident particularly consequential given the volume of people who typically use these facilities and trails during peak seasons.
What happens next
Search crews were scheduled to resume operations on Tuesday morning to continue looking for Timothy Smith in the area between Phantom Ranch and Cottonwood Manzanita. Forecasted weather conditions could affect the timing and pace of further search operations.
Key Facts
- Two people died and one remains missing after flash flooding struck Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch on 29 August at 14:30 local time
- Approximately 80 people were evacuated by air over the weekend, with no additional injuries reported
- Nearly all footbridges across Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, and approximately 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline was damaged or destroyed
- The North Kaibab Trail and all Phantom Ranch facilities, including Bright Angel Campground, remain closed
- Additional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall were forecast for the following days, creating ongoing risks of flash flooding, debris flows and rockfall
