Grand Canyon Flash Flood Prompts Evacuations, Search for Missing

A major flash flood tore through the Grand Canyon's Bright Angel Creek on Saturday afternoon, forcing the evacuation of dozens of hikers and campers, the National Park Service said. The surging water swept boulders, metal structures and other debris into the Colorado River, destroyed footbridges and reshaped the creek bed, apparently creating a new rapid. Park officials said they are trying to account for more than 20 people who may be missing or unreachable in the aftermath, and are asking anyone with information about hikers or campers in the area to come forward. The scale of destruction underscores the sudden danger extreme weather poses even in one of America's most heavily visited natural landmarks. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing as authorities assess the full extent of the damage.