Grand Canyon Flood Leaves Two Dead as Search Enters New Phase

GRAND CANYON, Arizona — Two people are dead, and one person remains unaccounted for after a powerful flash flood tore through the inner Grand Canyon over the weekend, destroying footbridges, damaging critical infrastructure and forcing dozens of hikers and campers to evacuate.

The flood struck the Bright Angel Creek and Phantom Ranch area at about 2:30 p.m. on August 29, according to the National Park Service. By Monday evening, officials said 82 people had been rescued or evacuated from the canyon and that one person known to have a permit for the affected area remained unaccounted for.

Officials cautioned that the number does not necessarily account for day hikers who may have entered the canyon without permits.

Search continues after death toll reaches two

The first body was recovered Sunday near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River. A second body was recovered Monday, according to officials. The first victim was a 46-year-old man; the second victim has not been publicly identified by the National Park Service.

The family of John Giusti, a 53-year-old chiropractor from Granbury, Texas, later identified him as one of those killed in the flooding. Giusti had traveled to the Grand Canyon with friends for a hiking trip, according to his family.

Incident Commander Dave Black said Monday that rescuers had accounted for 82 people who were caught in the affected area. Forty-five people were evacuated Saturday, and another 37 were evacuated Sunday, according to officials.

The search effort was complicated by additional rain and flash-flood warnings on Monday. Black said crews expected conditions to be more favorable for ground operations on Tuesday.

Earlier reports listed more missing

The number of people believed to be missing changed substantially as authorities worked through permits, vehicle records and information from families.

On Sunday, the National Park Service asked the public for information about more than 20 people who could not initially be accounted for. Later estimates put the number at about 14 to 15.

By Monday evening, however, officials had narrowed the confirmed number of people unaccounted for through their permit and other records to one.

That does not mean authorities have ruled out additional missing people. Deputy Superintendent Brian Drapeaux said day hikers who did not use the park’s permitting system could be difficult to identify.

The National Park Service continues to ask anyone with information about people who were hiking, backpacking or staying in the affected corridor on August 29 to contact its Investigative Services Branch.

Flood destroyed bridges and damaged the water system

The flooding caused extensive damage across Bright Angel Canyon.

Nearly all footbridges over Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, according to the National Park Service, cutting off normal access across portions of the canyon. The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge over the Colorado River are also closed, along with Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and the North Kaibab Trail between the North Kaibab Trailhead and Phantom Ranch.

The Colorado River was also temporarily closed to river traffic after metal structures and debris entered the river. The park said river parties already in the canyon were being given instructions by river operations personnel.

One of the most serious infrastructure problems involves the Transcanyon Waterline, the aging pipeline that supplies water to the South Rim and inner-canyon facilities.

The National Park Service said the waterline is currently out of service following the flooding. Officials estimate that roughly 40% of the 12.5-mile system was damaged or destroyed, although a complete assessment is still underway.

South Rim under Stage 4 water restrictions

The water damage has forced the park to take measures that go beyond the immediate flood zone.

Stage 4 water restrictions took effect on the South Rim at noon on August 31. Overnight accommodations inside the park have been suspended, including major lodges and Phantom Ranch. Only dry camping is permitted at affected South Rim campgrounds, while water use is being tightly restricted.

The park remains open for day use, and services including food and beverage operations, the Grand Canyon Clinic and Post Office continue to operate, although some services may have reduced hours.

The National Park Service has asked visitors and residents to conserve water while the pipeline remains out of service.

More rain remains a concern

The immediate danger has not completely passed.

The National Park Service warned after the initial flood that additional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall could produce more flash flooding, debris flows, rockfall and rapidly changing trail and river conditions.

The National Weather Service’s Flagstaff office has also warned of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms across northern Arizona, with elevated flooding concerns in the region.

The flooding occurred during Arizona’s summer monsoon season, when intense thunderstorms can produce sudden runoff in the steep canyon terrain.

The area also includes portions of the landscape affected by the 2025 Dragon Bravo wildfire. Loss of vegetation can increase runoff and debris-flow risks when heavy rain falls over burned terrain.

What happens next

Search and recovery teams are expected to return to parts of the inner canyon as weather and safety conditions allow. Officials are also continuing a detailed assessment of damage to trails, bridges, utilities and other facilities.

There is currently no reopening date for Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the North Kaibab Trail or the two Colorado River bridges affected by the flood.

For now, the immediate priorities are locating the remaining unaccounted-for person, completing the search for possible additional victims and determining the full extent of damage to the canyon’s infrastructure.

The National Park Service has urged anyone with information about hikers or backpackers in the Bright Angel Creek corridor on August 29 to contact investigators.

This story may be updated as new information becomes available.