A Texas chiropractor and the hiking group he was traveling with are among those reported missing or unaccounted for after a flash flood struck the Grand Canyon. John Giusti, a father of three from Granbury, Texas, was hiking and camping in the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch area when floodwaters surged through the corridor on Aug. 29. National Park Service search-and-rescue teams were conducting ground searches and helicopter operations while officials worked to account for about 15 people.
Giusti’s wife appealed for prayers and said the family would share confirmed information from park authorities. The flooding also prompted evacuations, destroyed nearly all footbridges across Bright Angel Creek and forced closures across several trails and river areas.
| 1) | Giusti and hiking group remain unaccounted for |
| 2) | Search teams work through a damaged canyon corridor |
| 3) | Flooding triggers evacuations and major closures |
| 4) | Recovery operation conducted near the Colorado River |
| 5) | Officials seek information from visitors and families |
Giusti and hiking group remain unaccounted for
John Giusti, a chiropractor and father of three who lives in Granbury, Texas, was hiking and camping with a group in the Grand Canyon on Aug. 29. His wife said the group was among those reported missing or unaccounted for after floodwaters moved through Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area.
In a public family update, Janet Giusti asked people to pray for her husband, his hiking companions and their families. She described him as the heart of his chiropractic practice and a deeply loved husband and father. Park officials had not publicly confirmed Giusti’s identity as one of the people being sought.
Search teams work through a damaged canyon corridor
The National Park Service was using ground sweeps and helicopter operations to search the canyon floor and account for people who may have been affected by the flood. Officials said approximately 15 people remained to be located or accounted for as of the reported update.
The agency asked anyone who knew of hikers or backpackers in the Bright Angel Creek corridor on Aug. 29, or anyone with a campground reservation in the area, to contact investigators. The remote terrain and extensive damage to crossings complicated access and search operations.
Flooding triggers evacuations and major closures
The flash flood began at about 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 29, according to the National Park Service. By Sunday morning, 62 people had been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail, and officials said no injuries had been reported among those evacuees.
Nearly all footbridges across Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, cutting off normal hiker access across the waterway. Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the North Kaibab Trail to Phantom Ranch, Black Bridge and Silver Bridge were closed. The Colorado River was also closed to river traffic in the affected area.
Recovery operation conducted near the Colorado River
Separately, the National Park Service said a recovery operation had been completed Sunday evening for a 46-year-old man near Crystal Rapids along the Colorado River. The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office was present at the scene.
Officials did not identify the man, disclose a cause of death or say whether the recovery was connected to the search for people who remained unaccounted for after the flooding. The two operations were therefore not publicly linked.
Officials seek information from visitors and families
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said her thoughts were with the families and loved ones of everyone unaccounted for after the flash flood. She said the Arizona Division of Emergency Management was coordinating with the National Park Service and Coconino County Emergency Management to support search and recovery efforts.
People with information about visitors who may have been in the affected corridor were asked to contact the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch Tip Line at 888-653-0009 or by email at nps_isb@nps.gov. Authorities urged families to rely on official updates as the search continued.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | John Giusti and his hiking group were reported unaccounted for after the Aug. 29 flood. |
| 2 | Search teams used ground and helicopter operations in the affected canyon area. |
| 3 | Sixty-two people had been evacuated, while trails, bridges, campgrounds and river areas were closed. |
| 4 | Officials asked the public to provide information about hikers and campers in the corridor. |
Summary
The Grand Canyon flash flood created a dangerous and difficult search environment after damaging Bright Angel Creek crossings and isolating sections of the canyon. A Texas chiropractor and his hiking group were among those unaccounted for, while authorities continued evacuations, searches and recovery work. Officials had not confirmed the identities of those still being sought and urged the public to provide relevant information through official channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Grand Canyon flash flood occur?
The flash flood began at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 29, 2026, according to the National Park Service.
Where were search operations taking place?
Search teams were working in and around Bright Angel Canyon, the Bright Angel Creek corridor and the Phantom Ranch area, using ground sweeps and helicopter operations.
How can the public provide information?
Anyone with information about hikers or backpackers who were in the affected corridor, or who had a campground reservation there, can contact the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch at 888-653-0009 or nps_isb@nps.gov.
