The scale of the damage at Grand Canyon National Park is becoming clearer as crews continue searching for people who may have been caught in Saturday’s flash floods. The National Park Service said Monday that a second body had been recovered, bringing the known death toll to two. Officials have not yet released details about where the latest body was found.
Search-and-rescue operations remain underway for roughly 15 people still reported missing. More than 60 hikers have already been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail. The North Kaibab Trail, Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch and its lodging and food facilities remain closed until further notice.
The flooding is also creating a major infrastructure problem. About 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline was damaged or destroyed, prompting the park to impose Stage 4 water restrictions on the South Rim. All South Rim hotels have also stopped accepting overnight guests for the foreseeable future.
The park itself has not completely closed. Day visitors can still access the South Rim, including food and beverage services, while dry camping remains available. But the combination of missing hikers, damaged trails and a compromised water system means the effects of the storm will extend well beyond the immediate rescue operation.
