AI Generated Image
Grand Canyon flash flooding deaths spur questions over whether warnings could have come sooner
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- A search and rescue operation continues to find Timothy Allen Smith, the last person missing after flash flooding in the Grand Canyon, which killed two others over the weekend.
- The flood occurred despite an alert system installed in Bright Angel Creek, designed to warn officials of rising water levels; however, the system went offline as the flood intensified, possibly due to debris or other factors.
- The flash flood was the most severe in recent memory for the park, following over 5 inches of rain in 48 hours, prompting evacuation of 82 people, some by helicopter.
- The flood severely damaged the park's major water pipeline, leaving only about two weeks of water supply as the region approaches peak wildfire season.
- Officials have yet to clarify whether earlier warnings could have been issued, and investigations into the alert system's failure and flood prediction are ongoing.
