Deadly Grand Canyon flooding knocks out critical water line amid race to find missing hikers

Severe flash flooding knocked out a central water line in the Grand Canyon this weekend, forcing the National Park Service to implement strict water restrictions amid an ongoing race to find missing hikers.

NPS says it will implement stage four water restrictions beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, saying the Saturday flooding caused “extensive damage to infrastructure,” including the Transcanyon Waterline that supplies the park with water. Park officials say one person was killed and 15 may be missing after the flooding, though they say that is an estimate.

Park officials confirmed they recovered the body of a 46-year-old man from the Colorado River on Sunday night. He has not been publicly identified.

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Bright Angel Creek near the Phantom Ranger Station in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, is seen after flash flooding from storms, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Parth Desai via AP)

NPS issued a request for the public to provide information on the 15 other people who are believed to be missing.

“The National Park Service is asking anyone who knows of hikers or backpackers who were in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on August 29, as well as anyone who had a campground reservation in the affected corridor, to provide information to the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch,” NPS said in a statement.

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This photo provided by the National Park Service shows remnants of stone bridge pylons along Bright Angel Creek in the Grand Canyon following a flash flood that destroyed the footbridge, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (James Thompson/National Park Service via AP)

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Park officials say they have so far evacuated at least 62 people since the Saturday flooding.

The stage 4 water restrictions affecting the rest of the park include forced dry camping with no access to water spigots, the temporary closure of overnight lodgings, and a strict no-fire rule for the South Rim and inner canyon areas.

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The flooding struck Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on Aug. 29, according to NPS, which added that nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said state emergency officials are coordinating with federal and local authorities as the search continues.

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“My heart is with the families and loved ones of every person unaccounted for after the flash flooding at the Grand Canyon,” Hobbs wrote on X. “DEMA is coordinating with NPS and Coconino County Emergency Management to support search and recovery efforts.”

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs released a statement following flash flooding in the Grand Canyon this weekend. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes called the flash flooding “devastating” and thanked first responders for searching for those still unaccounted for and evacuating others from the affected area.

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“The physical damage includes a historic lodge near the bottom of the site and untold environmental upheaval,” Fontes said in a statement. “I send my prayers to the community as the search for those unaccounted for continues.”