Around fifteen people are being sought on Sunday, August 30, after a flash flood occurred the day before in the famous Grand Canyon park, in the Western United States, the park announced.
The US National Park Service (NPS) “is asking the public to provide information regarding approximately fifteen people who may be missing or unaccounted for following a significant flash flood,” the park says on its website.
This episode occurred from around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, the park authorities located in Arizona had indicated in a previous message.
This flash flood hit Bright Angel Canyon and the area of Phantom Ranch, a hotel located at the bottom of the canyon, near the Colorado River.
It “resulted in significant impacts to infrastructure throughout Bright Angel Canyon. Nearly all pedestrian bridges crossing Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, removing access for hikers from one side of the stream to the other,” the park said.
Fear of new flash floods
Videos filmed by hikers show a torrent of muddy water surging along a trail and under footbridges, as well as tree trunks and other debris being carried away by swollen rivers, all accompanied by a low roar.
As of Sunday morning, 62 people had been evacuated, and more were expected to be evacuated, the parks department said in an email.
Its agents worked Sunday in concert with Arizona authorities to evacuate people trapped in the canyon and locate possible missing people.
“Further thunderstorms and heavy precipitation are possible today and Monday, which could cause additional flash flooding,” the NPS warned.
With AFP
