National Park Service officials are conducting a search for at least 20 hikers who went missing Saturday when a flash flood inundated the Grand Canyon. The affected area includes the North Kaibab Trail between its trailhead and Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and the region known as "the Box" north of Phantom Ranch.
Torrential monsoonal rains caused water levels to rise rapidly in Bright Angel Canyon around 2:30 p.m., leading to the deluge. Dramatic footage captured a powerful, muddy torrent churning down the canyon floor, dislodging debris, logs, and vegetation.
Search and rescue crews from the National Park Service launched an immediate airlift operation, evacuating more than 50 individuals from the historic Phantom Ranch camping area. Many others were also evacuated from the canyon.
