Grand Canyon update
Rescue operations at Grand Canyon National Park had to be suspended yesterday after nightfall, and some campers were missing as of this morning, according to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.
Storms that passed over Northern Arizona this past week dropped enough rainfall to cause the Redlands Earthen Dam to collapse, water rushing west into Cataract Canyon. That, in turn, sent water raging yesterday morning through Supai Canyon below the South Rim, about 75 miles west of Grand Canyon Village. The resulting flood left some people stranded, and now, some missing.
About 400 people will need to be evacuated from the canyon, including members of the Supai Indian tribe (who are full time residents of the canyon), campers and tourists. So far, about half that number had been airlifted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Arizona National Guard to the Hualapai Hilltop area and then bussed by the American Red Cross to nearby Peach Springs, Ariz. More people will be evacuated today.
If you had plans to hike into or camp in the canyon this week, you’ll need to call ahead. Your plans have been canceled, as the canyon is now closed to residents and tourists.
The county sheriff’s office suggests directing any questions regarding friends or family members who may have been in the area to the American Red Cross Evacuation Center at 928-769-2654.
1 Comment
Jackie: News of the flood has me thinking about a Grand Canyon hiking trip I did one late spring in the mid-1980s. We hiked down to the canyon floor on day, spent the night at Phantom Ranch Lodge and hiked back up to the rim the next day. It was a great trip – but too short – especially because all of the desert flowers were blooming. I haven’t heard if the ranch was affected by the flood, sure hope not!
Michelle Rafter