Severe flash flood in Havasu Creek, Grand Canyon National Park, claims the life of one and leaves 200 stranded

Havasu Creek, located in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona saw intense flooding due to heavy rain on Thursday, August 22, 2024. The flood claimed the life of a 33-year-old woman and stranded 200 hikers in the area.

Heavy rains caused severe flash flooding in Havasu Creek on Thursday. The flooding stranded 200 hikers within the national park and near Havasupai Falls. According to hikers present in the area, rainfall began around 11:00 local time (LT) and intensified over the following minutes.

Flooding began within 30 minutes, prompting people to warn each other to evacuate as water levels continued to rise.

The region received between 25 – 50 mm (1 – 2 inches) of rain within one to one and a half hours, according to officials from the National Weather Service (NWS).

“In that area, there are narrow canyons where the water can accumulate. In these situations, heavy rain falls, accumulates in the canyons, and then rushes downstream in a flash flood,” said Brian Klimowski, a meteorologist with NWS in Flagstaff.

The body of a 33-year-old woman who was swept away by the flood on Thursday was found on Sunday, August 25, by the Arizona National Guard.

The flooding washed away several bridges, making it difficult for the stranded hikers to reach safety. However, the 200 stranded hikers managed to cross the waters and reach a Havasupai tribe building where they were safely lodged.

Officials with the Arizona National Guard stated that a Blackhawk helicopter was used from August 23 to the afternoon of August 24 to evacuate 104 tourists and tribal members. Resupply drop-offs of water and food were also conducted.

The damage to the Supai Falls campground was extensive, and the trails between the falls and the campground were impassable. With damage assessments underway, the Havasupai area is closed to tourists until further notice, according to the Havasupai Tribe Council, which has declared a state of emergency for the area.

References:

¹ Flash flooding at Havasu Canyon strands hundreds of tourists; Arizona National Guard deployed for rescue – Fox 10 – August 25, 2024

² Woman’s body found after flash flood near Grand Canyon – Reuters – August 26, 2024

³ Arizona National Guard rescues more than 100 from Grand Canyon National Park flash flooding –Fox Weather – August 25, 2024

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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