GRAND CANYON, AZ — Flash flooding in Bright Angel Canyon prompted an emergency air evacuation of roughly 50 people from the Phantom Ranch area on Saturday after water surged through the canyon around 2:30 p.m. National Park Service crews carried out the rescue as severe monsoon weather hit northern Arizona.
No injuries have been reported. Park officials closed Phantom Ranch and the entire North Kaibab Trail until further notice, and authorities are warning visitors to stay out of all closed areas while conditions remain unstable.
What Park Officials Closed
The closures are centered on one of the Grand Canyon’s most heavily used backcountry corridors. Phantom Ranch sits at the bottom of the canyon near the Colorado River, and the North Kaibab Trail is a major route used by hikers heading in and out of the inner canyon.
Concessionaire Xanterra is contacting guests about future reservations. Park officials have not announced when either area will reopen, and the immediate concern remains safety after floodwaters moved quickly through the canyon floor.
Visitors with trips planned into the area should expect disruptions until crews can assess damage, clear hazards and determine whether trail conditions are safe again.
Storm Threat Shifts Toward Phoenix
The Grand Canyon rescue came during a dangerous weather day across Arizona that also brought blistering heat, blowing dust and flash-flood risk. Phoenix reached 113 degrees Saturday, and the city also set an overnight warm-low record of 94 degrees.
That threat is now moving toward the Valley. Severe thunderstorms developing in southern Arizona are pushing outflow boundaries north toward Maricopa and Pinal counties, where blowing dust and rapid shifts in visibility are expected to create hazardous travel conditions.
A blowing dust advisory is in effect tonight, with wind gusts up to 55 mph and visibility dropping below one mile on some freeways.
What To Expect Through Monday
Rain may taper off around 11 p.m. Saturday, but the danger is not ending with the first round of storms. Flash flood watches remain in effect for the entire Phoenix metro area through late Saturday night as torrential downpours follow the dust wall.
Sunday is expected to bring a slight cooldown to 106 degrees in Phoenix, but another round of blowing dust, damaging winds and flash flooding is forecast for late Sunday evening through Monday.
Conditions are expected to finally dry out on Tuesday. Until then, weather officials are urging people to stay alert for rapidly changing conditions, especially on roadways, in low-lying spots and in areas already affected by storms.
When the weather turns dangerous, SVH Snow is watching.
