Grand Canyon flash floods leave one dead and 15 missing

One person has died, and around 15 people are missing or unaccounted for after a major flash flood at the Grand Canyon.

The body of a 46-year-old man was recovered Sunday evening near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River, in northern Arizona, America's National Park Service said.

Weekend flooding in Bright Angel Creek, which flows into the river, happened on Saturday afternoon, with more than 60 people evacuated from the canyon.

About half an inch to 1 inch (1 to 2.5 cm) of rain fell within about 20 minutes on a steep rocky slope, according to US National Weather Service meteorologist Darren McCollum.

He said rain just a few hours earlier meant that "when the main storm moved in, torrential rain fell on everything that was already soaked, and that caused all the problems that we're seeing".

The weather service said the flooding happened on the north side of the Grand Canyon, where Bright Angel Creek comes from the North Rim down to the Colorado River, dropping around 6,000 feet (1,828 meters).

Large boulders were swept into the river and knocked out the only water pipeline serving tourists and residents, according to the park service.

The flood is a major blow to a $208 million rehabilitation of the pipeline and upgrades to the associated water delivery system started in 2023.

The park service has called it a crucial investment to ensure the park can meet the needs of its 1,600 residents and 6m annual visitors. The project had been expected to be completed next year.

From Monday, tourists won't be able to stay overnight at lodges and hotels within Grand Canyon National Park, due to the lack of mains water. Year-round residents are being asked to conserve water where they can.

"These measures are crucial for ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources," the park service said in a statement.

More rain and thunderstorms are possible on Monday.

Anyone with details about hikers or campers in the canyon is being asked to get in touch.

(c) Sky News 2026: Grand Canyon flash floods leave one dead and 15 missing