OFFICIAL
Severe weather
United States of America
On 29 August 2026, a major flash flood affected Bright Angel Creek in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, following severe monsoonal storms that produced up to one inch of rainfall in approximately 30 minutes. The National Park Service (NPS) reported two deaths and approximately 15 people missing or unaccounted for, while 62 people were evacuated by air from the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas. The flooding caused extensive damage to infrastructure in the inner canyon, including the destruction of footbridges and approximately 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline, the sole pipeline supplying water to park residents and visitors, which remains non-operational. Due to limited water reserves, the park implemented water conservation measures, restricted access to campgrounds, and closed all hotels and lodges, with no reopening date announced. The National Weather Service maintained a flood watch for the Grand Canyon through at least the evening of 31 August, warning that flash flooding remained possible across northern and central Arizona. Information available from: National Park Service and CBS News.