A weekend flash flood in Arizona’s Grand Canyon has left two people dead and prompted a continuing search for hikers who remain unaccounted for, including two Texas-connected men who were traveling with one of the victims.
John Giusti, a chiropractor from Granbury, Texas, was identified by his family as one of the people killed in the flooding. His friends, Brent Rosenkranz, 42, and Timothy Allen Smith, 53, remain missing as search crews continue working through areas damaged by the powerful flooding.
The three men entered the Grand Canyon together for a trip that included hiking, camping, fishing and exploring. Their families said they reached Bright Angel Campground on Friday and planned to spend two nights near the bottom of the canyon before continuing toward Havasupai Gardens.
Their families last heard from them Thursday as they prepared for the trip. They were known to have reached their campsite Friday, but there has been no confirmed contact with Rosenkranz or Smith since then.
Giusti was a husband and father of three daughters. His family remembered him as a devoted father and a chiropractor who had built strong connections in the Granbury community.
Rosenkranz, also from Granbury, is a husband and father of three sons and operates a martial arts school. His family said he has spent much of his life teaching and mentoring young people.
Smith, who was raised in Granbury and now lives in Wyoming, is a husband and father of three who works as a pilot. His family described him as someone who enjoys the outdoors, camping and helping others.
Flash Flood Swept Through Bright Angel Canyon
The flooding began Saturday afternoon in the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch areas after intense rainfall. Water carrying mud, rocks and debris moved rapidly through the canyon, damaging trails, bridges and other infrastructure.
The National Park Service said 62 people had been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail by Sunday morning, with additional evacuations taking place afterward. Overall, about 80 people were rescued during the emergency.
Several hikers described being forced to move quickly as floodwaters rose. In some areas, footbridges were destroyed shortly after people crossed them to reach higher ground.
Nearly all of the footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, leaving some areas without normal pedestrian access. Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground and the North Kaibab Trail have been closed because of the damage and continuing safety concerns.
Search Efforts Continue
Search and recovery operations have been complicated by the canyon’s remote terrain, damaged infrastructure and additional rain moving through the region.
Officials have been using park permits, vehicle information and other records to determine who may have been in the affected areas. They have also asked the public to provide information about hikers or backpackers who may have been along the Bright Angel Creek corridor, the North Kaibab Trail or near Phantom Ranch when the flooding occurred.
The search for Rosenkranz and Smith remains active, while officials continue working to determine whether other visitors could still be unaccounted for.
Flood Damage Disrupts Grand Canyon Operations
The disaster has also damaged the Transcanyon Waterline, a critical system that supplies water within the park. The National Park Service said the pipeline was knocked out of service, leaving the park with limited water reserves.
Stage 4 water restrictions began on the South Rim on August 31. Overnight hotel accommodations inside the park were also ordered closed as officials worked to conserve the remaining water supply.
The South Rim remains accessible for daytime visitors, but several flood-damaged areas and facilities remain closed. Park officials are urging visitors to stay away from affected sections of the canyon while search, recovery and safety operations continue.
More rain and thunderstorms are possible in the area, creating an additional threat of flash flooding, rockfall and rapidly changing trail conditions.
For the families of Giusti, Rosenkranz and Smith, the focus remains on bringing their loved ones home as crews continue searching the canyon.
