At least 20 people missing after Grand Canyon flash flood near Bright Angel Canyon, Phantom Ranch

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Grand Canyon floodingSevere flash flooding in the Grand Canyon on Saturday caused significant damage to infrastructure, forced the evacuation of over 60 people and has left more than a dozen missing.

At least 62 people have been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab rail to the South Rim by the Arizona Department of Public Safety and National Parks Service, according to a release by NPS. Additional evacuations were scheduled at the Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch for Sunday.

At least 20 people are missing or unaccounted for, according to the NPS. Anyone who knows hikers or campers who were in the area at the time should contact the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch.

Flooding near Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch has destroyed several structures and damaged other infrastructure and utilities.

The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge crossing the Colorado River and nearly all footbridges crossing Bright Angel Creek were destroyed by the flooding, and several trails, including the North Kaibab Trail, are closed.

Tom Martin, a Grand Canyon River Runner, said torrential rain fell on the Dragon Bravo fire scar and debris poured down the North Rim of the canyon, resulting in large debris flows.

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