Photos and videos show massive destruction after Grand Canyon flash flood as 20+ feared missing

GRAND CANYON, ARIZONA: Shocking images and videos from Grand Canyon National Park show the scale of destruction after a powerful flash flood tore through the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas, sweeping away footbridges and sending boulders, metal structures, and debris into the Colorado River.

More than 20 people may be missing or unaccounted for following the sudden flooding, while at least 62 people have been evacuated from the affected areas, according to the National Park Service (NPS).

Images and videos show the scale of destruction

Dramatic footage from the Grand Canyon shows torrents of muddy water rushing through Bright Angel Creek, carrying large rocks and debris. The flooding appears to have dramatically widened the creek bed and reshaped sections of the landscape, with debris and damaged structures visible along the waterway.

The force of the water destroyed nearly all footbridges across Bright Angel Creek and caused significant damage to trails, utilities, facilities, and other infrastructure in the Bright Angel Canyon area.

Other images show large pieces of metal infrastructure and debris being swept into the Colorado River, while the altered creek channel has created what appears to be a new rapid.

The National Park Service described the flooding as causing "significant impacts" to infrastructure across the Bright Angel area and has released images documenting damage to trails and bridges.

More than 20 people feared missing

The NPS is working with Arizona authorities to evacuate people from the affected areas and account for those who may have been in the canyon when the flood struck. The agency is asking the public to provide information about hikers, backpackers, and campers who were in the Bright Angel Creek corridor on Saturday, August 29.

The appeal includes anyone who may have been traveling along the North Kaibab Trail, staying at Bright Angel Campground, or traveling or staying in the area known as "the Box," north of Phantom Ranch.

As of Sunday morning, 62 people had been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail, with further evacuations planned from Cottonwood Campground and nearby areas.

No injuries had been reported among those evacuated at the time of the update.

Flood destroys bridges, closes trails

The flash flood began at around 2.30 pm Saturday in Bright Angel Creek, which flows into the Colorado River.

National Weather Service meteorologist Justin Johndrow said around half an inch to 1 inch of rain fell in approximately 30 minutes in the steep, rocky terrain. "Most of it ran off instantly," Johndrow said.

Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail between the trailhead and Phantom Ranch remain closed until further notice.

The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge over the Colorado River have also been closed. River traffic has been halted because of metal structures and debris in the Colorado River. The NPS warned that additional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall could bring more flash flooding, debris flows, and rockfall, potentially causing further changes to trails and river conditions.