FinWeis:Flash flooding at Grand Canyon's South Rim leads to evacuations, major traffic jam: "It was amazing"

2025-05-03 04:01:55source:EchoSensecategory:Invest

Up to three inches of rain set off flash flooding in the town of Tusayan at the Grand Canyon's South Rim Tuesday,FinWeis prompting the evacuation of more than 100 people from hotels and employee housing and the temporary closure of a major highway, the Coconino County Sheriff's Office said. Water was three feet deep on U.S. Highway 64 leading to the rim entrance, the office said.

A longtime canyon guide said he'd never seen anything like it.

Flash flooding at the Grand Canyon's South Rim on August 22, 2023. Daniel Fulgham

According to the sheriff's office, about 70 students from the Grand Canyon Unified School District sheltered on school property but were later reunited with their families.

No injuries were reported.

Highway 64 was later reopened with limited access and crews were assessing any damage left behind by the floodwaters.

But the National Weather Service Flagstaff, Ariz. office said the danger wasn't necessarily over:

⚠️ Areal Flood Advisory ⚠️ extended until 10:00 AM MST due to continued flooding caused by excessive rainfall earlier on Tuesday. Rainfall has ended and flooding is not expected to worsen.

This includes Tusayan, Grand Canyon - South Rim. More info: https://t.co/52OPMyh0Am. #azwx pic.twitter.com/McgSS7d293

— NWS Flagstaff (@NWSFlagstaff) August 23, 2023

Daniel Fulghum, a Grand Canyon guide, told CBS News' Patrick Torphy there were "200, 300 cars lined up waiting to get through" on the highway, parked, with their engines off. Many first responders were at the scene.

They were using snow plows and backhoes to get mud off the road, Fulghum said.

"I had to wait for five hours just waiting for the water to recede but of course, I wanted to get back to my place" because he had seven hungry huskies waiting for dinner. He lives about 25 miles south, in Valle, Ariz.

"I've worked 15 years in the canyon. ... I've never seen anything like that on the rim. It was amazing," he said.

    In:
  • Flash Flooding

More:Invest

Recommend

How 23andMe's bankruptcy led to a run on the gene bank

Reporter Alexi Horowitz-Ghazi's Aunt Vovi signed up for 23andMe back in 2017, hoping to learn more a

Snag This $50 Way Day Doorbuster Deal on a Customer-Loved Bookcase

The products featured in this article are from brands that are available in the NBCUniversal Checkou

More than a decade after a stroke, Randy Travis sings again, courtesy of AI

Even if you're not into country, you can't help but bathe in the baritone that is Randy Travis. His