Raging Waters Roil Grand Canyon, Triggering Evacuations

On Tuesday, floodwaters at the southern edge of the Grand Canyon resulted in emergency evacuations, power disruptions, and water emergencies. The National Park advised against traveling to or from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Pak, and the announcement came after the closure of State Route 64 on Tuesday, just south of Tusayan, due to flooding in that area.

Tusayan is a town that serves as one of the two entry points to the park—the other being the North Rim. As of Wednesday morning, there have been no reported deaths, as confirmed by a National Park official Roads in the affected area were also in the process of being reopened.

Grand Canyon Evacuations

Heavy rainfall led to flooding near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona on Tuesday, leading authorities to evacuate more than 100 individuals from hotels and residences in the vicinity. Many residents and tourists were instructed to remain where they were to stay safe from the effects of the flooding.

Reports of the flooding prompted deputies from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office to head to Tusayan, situated in Coconino County just south of the southern entrance to the Grand Canyon. This occurred around 4:00 PM local time (7:00 PM Eastern time) on Tuesday, according to the sheriff’s office Facebook page.

The flooding resulted in the displacement of over 100 residents and hotel guests, who were moved to alternative locations while waiting for the floodwaters to subside. Roughly 70 students from the Grand Canyon Unified School District had to shelter in place on the school's premises, but they were later able to go back to their homes, the sheriff’s office clarified.

It is fortunate that no injuries were reported in connection with this flooding incident. U.S. Highway 64 was temporarily closed due to water levels reaching depths of up to three feet, although it has since been reopened.

Tusayan, known as the "door to the Grand Canyon," holds historical significance as a community with ties dating back almost to the establishment of Grand Canyon National Park in 1919.

Grand Canyon Power Outages

The heavy rains and rising waters not only flooded the area and triggered evacuations in the affected areas, but also resulted in some power outages in the vicinity. Rains at the Grand Canyon accumulated to three inches, contributing to flood waters as deep as three feet in some areas.

State Route 64 closed as the park's specialized teams for fire-related emergencies, rapid-water rescues, and Grand Canyon power outages swiftly took action at the location.

Officials advised all travelers to steer clear of traveling to or from Tusayan until the floodwaters subside. Subsequently, although the highway was made passable once more, entry was constrained, according to information shared by the sheriff's office.

On Tuesday night, Grand Canyon power outages were documented in the region. Repair crews were actively engaged in addressing the aftermath of the flooding-induced destruction, as reported by the park.

Flood Advisory in the Grand Canyon

Following a rapid succession of events on Tuesday afternoon, heavy rainfall in the region resulted in significant flooding, with 2 to 3 inches of rain accumulating. This caused water levels to rise to nearly 3 feet in the town of Tusayan, an entrance point to the Grand Canyon, as stated by Coconino County authorities.

The National Weather Service released a flood advisory on Tuesday, which continued to be in effect until 10:00 AM the next day (Wednesday). The initial closure of the roadway occurred due to the accumulation of water on the road surface in Tusayan, as reported by state transportation officials.

In response to the flood advisory in the Grand Canyon, Coconino County officials recommended that people stay in their current locations until the floodwaters subsided.

A spokesperson for the Coconino County Sheriff's Office communicated that more than 100 individuals had to be evacuated from various hotels and housing designated for employees in the affected region.

Additionally, Paxton noted that approximately 70 students from the Grand Canyon Unified School District, who had taken shelter on school premises, were in the process of being safely returned to their homes.

Taking Precautions During Flood Warnings at the Grand Canyon

Taking flood precautions in areas like the Grand Canyon or the desert is of paramount importance due to the unique characteristics of these landscapes. While seemingly arid, both regions are susceptible to sudden and intense rainstorms that can trigger flash floods.

In the Grand Canyon, the topography can channel water rapidly, turning a serene creek into a raging torrent in minutes.

To safeguard against these dangers, visitors and residents must stay vigilant and well-informed. Monitoring weather forecasts and advisories is crucial, as is heeding any evacuation notices.

When hiking or camping, it's wise to choose elevated locations, avoiding narrow canyons or dry washes that can become deadly traps during a flood. Carrying emergency supplies and communication devices can be life-saving in these remote areas.

In the desert, the lack of vegetation and hard-packed soil can exacerbate flooding, creating dangerous situations even from modest rainfall. Precautions include avoiding flood-prone areas, not attempting to cross flooded roads, and having a well-practiced emergency plan.

Respect for the unpredictable power of water is paramount when exploring these striking yet unpredictable landscapes.

The Weather Outlook in the Grand Canyon

The weather outlook in the Grand Canyon will shift away from the wet weather system experienced earlier in the week. Tropical moisture persisted in the early part of the week, maintaining unsettled weather conditions across northern and eastern parts of Arizona throughout Wednesday.

Even though the moisture that originated from the former Tropical Storm Harold will remain present over Arizona on Thursday, the potential for storm activity is anticipated to lessen. By Thursday afternoon, temperatures in the area are projected to rise to approximately 105 degrees.

While there's a chance of showers and thunderstorms in Northern Arizona around midday, only an isolated chance of a shower is expected.

Rain probabilities decline significantly on Friday, setting the stage for a drier beginning to the weekend across Arizona. As the region dries out, temperatures will climb. The high-pressure system affecting much of the Central U.S. is set to shift westward.

As it re-establishes itself over Arizona, the likelihood of rain in the Valley will diminish and temperatures will surge above 110 degrees. Over the upcoming weekend and early next week, Phoenix will experience notably higher temperatures than usual, ranging from 110 to 115 degrees.

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