Deadly flash flood in Grand Canyon

Deadly flash flood swept through the Grand Canyon last week, leaving many injured and one dead. | Benji Xie photo.

After an exceptionally dry summer, the Grand Canyon received a heavy amount of rain this past week...enough rain to cause a flash flood. During the hot and dry summer period, the region’s ground is unable to absorb large amounts of water, causing runoff that ultimately floods canyons. Last Wednesday evening, a flood hit the Tatahatso camp on the Colorado River where 30 people were camping during a rafting trip. According to an article by NBC News, the dangerous waters left several people injured and two missing. 

The two missing rafters were soon found by a commercial river trip. Sadly, among the two was 29-year-old Rebecca Copeland, who did not survive. Local officials have responded to the dangers brought by the floods by ordering shelter-in-place warnings, encouraging people to avoid getting caught in the seasonal monsoons. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey issued a declaration of emergency on Friday, providing aid to those affected by the inclement weather.