Grand Canyon: Deadly Flash Flood in Bright Angel Canyon, Search Ongoing
After the August 29 flash flood in Bright Angel Canyon, rescue teams are still searching, and here's what to know before you visit.
By Jocelyn Pion,
A flash flood hit Bright Angel Canyon, in the heart of the Grand Canyon, on August 29. The National Park Service has since recovered the bodies of two hikers swept away by the water. A third member of the group is still missing, and search teams remain on the scene right now to locate him and make sure no one else was in the affected area when the flood hit.
If you're planning a hike in the area, keep in mind what this episode drives home so hard: down in the canyon, a flash flood can start in minutes, even under a clear sky right above you. A thunderstorm miles upstream is enough to turn a dry riverbed into a torrent. Narrow gorges like Bright Angel funnel the water and leave no way out once the wave is moving.
A few habits are worth repeating. Check the weather and the flood-risk forecasts the morning of, not the night before. Stay out of riverbeds and tight passages on stormy days, especially during the summer monsoon season, when these surges are most common. Scout high ground where you can take shelter ahead of time, and turn back without a second thought if the sky darkens. A hike postponed beats a hike caught out.
The park is still open, but rescue operations are underway in this area. Check with rangers before you head out and respect any trail closures, which can change from one day to the next as the search moves forward.
To place Bright Angel within the park as a whole, plan your route, and learn the risky seasons, it's all in the Grand Canyon park guide. You'll find what you need to build a visit that's both beautiful and safe.