Grand Canyon flash flood leaves at least two dead, forces Stage 4 water restrictions, Arizona

The flash flood began at approximately 14:30 MST (21:30 UTC) on August 29, according to the National Park Service (NPS). By the morning of August 30, NPS had evacuated 62 people from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail and was preparing additional evacuations from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch.

The Associated Press (AP) later reported that 45 people had been rescued by sunset on August 29 and another 37 were evacuated on August 30. The figures brought the total number rescued or evacuated during the response to approximately 80.

NPS said one body had been recovered and recovery operations for a second were underway in its August 31 update. Both bodies had been recovered, and families had identified the deceased as John Giusti and Brent Rosenkranz; meanwhile, their companion Timothy Smith remained missing.

NPS had previously requested information about more than 20 people whose status was unknown after they traveled through the affected corridor. Incident Commander Dave Black said on August 31 that reviews of tips, backcountry permits and vehicle records gave authorities no reason to believe that anyone other than the one remaining person was missing.

Preliminary NPS assessments indicated that approximately 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline was damaged or destroyed. The line supplies water from the inner canyon for use elsewhere in Grand Canyon National Park and remained non-operational, leaving the park with limited reserves.

Stage 4 water restrictions took effect on the South Rim at noon on August 31. All park concessioners suspended overnight accommodations at El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Phantom Ranch, Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village, while lodging outside the park in Tusayan was not affected.

Only dry camping is permitted on the South Rim, with campground water spigots turned off and bathroom faucets remaining operational. Wood-burning and charcoal fires are prohibited on the South Rim and in inner-canyon areas.

The park remains open for day use. South Rim food and beverage services, the Grand Canyon Clinic and the Post Office remain operational, although some services may have reduced hours.

Floodwater also caused extensive damage along the Bright Angel Creek corridor, where NPS said nearly all footbridges spanning the creek were destroyed. Staff continued assessing damage to trails, bridges, utilities, facilities and other infrastructure.

Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, the entire North Kaibab Trail and the Black and Silver bridges remain closed until further notice. NPS had not announced an estimated reopening date and asked visitors to remain outside the closure area while search and recovery operations continued.

Earlier on August 31, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) expanded its Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall, Level 3 of 4, into northern Arizona, including the Grand Canyon region. WPC cited extremely anomalous moisture, atmospheric instability, and the potential for repeating thunderstorms over areas made vulnerable by recent heavy rainfall and flash flooding.

At 00:44 UTC on September 1, WPC downgraded the affected area from Moderate Risk to Slight Risk after coordination with National Weather Service forecast offices in Flagstaff, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. The revised outlook covered much of the Four Corners and was valid from 01:00 to 12:00 UTC on September 1.

WPC said monsoon thunderstorm activity was decreasing as daylight waned, although enough convection remained to retain the Slight Risk through the end of the outlook period.

The Dragon Bravo Fire affected the Bright Angel Creek watershed and several other North Rim watersheds that drain into the Colorado River. NPS said burned watersheds are more susceptible to flash flooding and debris flows during heavy precipitation, with runoff in steep terrain capable of producing flooding within minutes.

References:

¹ Grand Canyon National Park to Close Overnight Hotel Accommodations Beginning August 31 – NPS – August 30, 2026.

² Alerts & Conditions – NPS – Accessed on September 1, 2026