Two bodies reported after flash flooding in Grand Canyon National Park

Washington, United States. One body has been recovered after flash flooding in Grand Canyon National Park, while recovery operations for a second body were under way on Monday, the National Park Service said.

Flood damage and evacuations

Heavy rainfall sent surging waters through the canyon on Saturday, destroying trails and footbridges and damaging infrastructure that supplies water throughout the park, according to the National Park Service.

By Sunday morning, 62 hikers had been evacuated by helicopter.

Missing hikers

Park officials said on Sunday that the body of a 46-year-old man had been found. The National Park Service said in a post on X that more than 20 people could be missing or unaccounted for and asked the public for information about hikers who may have been in the path of the flooding.

Responding to Reuters on Monday, the agency confirmed a second body but provided no further details about the victim or an updated number of missing people.

Closures remain in place

With additional thunderstorms expected early this week and strict water-use restrictions in force, the park’s South Rim remained open during the day on Monday.

Overnight accommodation and other concessions were closed, while several hiking and lodging areas affected by the floods remained fully shut. The National Park Service asked visitors to stay away from closed areas as search and recovery operations continue.