Grand Canyon Flood Death Toll Rises to 2 as More Than 12 Remain Missing

Q: With critical waterlines severed and bridges destroyed, how long will the Grand Canyon remain closed to overnight visitors?

There is no estimated reopening date. Grand Canyon National Park said overnight hotel accommodations inside the park are suspended beginning Aug. 31 and will remain halted “for the foreseeable future” because flash flooding severed the Transcanyon Waterline and left the South Rim with limited water reserves. The shutdown affects concession-run lodging inside the park, including El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Phantom Ranch, Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village. The park remains open for day use, but overnight stays inside the park are not being allowed while officials conserve water and assess damage. Park officials also said Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the North Kaibab Trail, and the Black and Silver bridges are closed until further notice, with no estimated reopening date for those inner-canyon areas either. Nearly all footbridges over Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, and crews are still evaluating trails, utilities and other infrastructure. Lodging outside the park in Tusayan is not affected. Anyone planning a visit should expect the closure to last at least until the waterline is repaired and park water supplies stabilize, but officials have not provided a timetable.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 31

A second death was confirmed Monday after weekend flash floods tore through a remote Grand Canyon area popular with hikers and campers, with search crews still trying to locate more than a dozen missing people.
Heavy rain sent water surging along Bright Angel Creek, which runs from near the canyon’s north rim to the Colorado River, driving the ongoing search and recovery effort.
The National Park Service said new rain and thunderstorms forecast for Monday could slow operations in the flood-hit area.
Rescuers found the first victim — a 46-year-old man — late Sunday near Crystal Rapids on the Colorado River; officials gave no further details on the second victim.