Grand Canyon flood kills one, search for missing continues

A flash flood struck the Bright Angel Canyon area of Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday, forcing evacuations and damaging the park's main water pipeline. One man's body was recovered near Crystal Rapids, and about 15 people remain unaccounted for. The flood also destroyed footbridges and led to water restrictions and a ban on open fires.

The Transcanyon Waterline, a 12.5-mile pipeline running from Roaring Springs on the North Rim to the South Rim, serves as the park's sole source of drinking water and fire suppression. Its damage has forced water restrictions in the most visited areas and a ban on wood and charcoal fires, with overnight accommodations slated to close starting Monday.

The flood originated from rainfall on the Kaibab Plateau, and forecasters warn additional thunderstorms through Monday could trigger more flash flooding, debris flows, and rockfall. Such events are common in northern Arizona, where arid, sparsely vegetated terrain absorbs little rain, particularly between July and mid-September. The park drew nearly 5 million visitors last year.