CA, US & World
Arizona Governor Visits Grand Canyon as Flood Recovery Continues
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs visited the Grand Canyon’s South Rim Saturday, nearly three weeks after deadly flash flooding devastated parts of the park.
The Aug. 29 flooding killed three hikers, forced more than 80 people to be rescued and damaged critical infrastructure, including the Transcanyon Waterline that supplies the South Rim.
“Come to the Grand Canyon. It is open,” Hobbs said after touring the South Rim and meeting with teams overseeing the recovery.
While the park remains open, overnight lodging inside the park remains unavailable.
The flooding followed a burst of rain that dropped about two-thirds of an inch in 15 minutes. Bright Angel Creek rose more than five feet in about 10 minutes, sending water, boulders and debris through the canyon.
The final missing hiker, Timothy Allen Smith, was recovered near Crystal Rapids this week, roughly 10 river miles downstream from the Bright Angel area where his group was first reported missing. The National Park Service confirmed his remains were identified as Smith.
“It is very tragic that lives were lost, and my heart is with the families and loved ones of the people who died,” Hobbs said. “Water infrastructure has been an issue here at the canyon for a while and obviously was severely exacerbated by the recent flooding.”
According to park representatives, about 40% of the 12.5-mile Transcanyon Waterline was damaged, affecting approximately five miles of the system.
The waterline provides drinking water and fire protection for Grand Canyon Village, park operations and visitors. A $208 million project to rehabilitate the aging system was already underway before the flood, and the National Park Service says the newer infrastructure on the south side of the canyon escaped significant damage.
The park is working to install a temporary water intake at Bright Angel Creek. The intake is designed to pump about 500 gallons per minute, the same capacity available before the flood. Once pumping resumes, officials estimate it will take about 45 days to fully refill the park’s storage tanks.
Hobbs also met with National Park Service leaders, representatives from surrounding counties and the U.S. Department of the Interior. According to the governor’s office, discussions included the economic impact of the flooding and the work needed to restore overnight operations safely.
Hobbs said the state will also help facilitate federal disaster-recovery loans for affected small businesses.
“The state is going to be doing everything we can on the permitting side to expedite, so that this can open as quickly and safely as possible,” Hobbs said.
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.
By: NBC Palm Springs
September 20, 2026
Grand CanyonKatie HobbsArizona governorGrand Canyon floodingBright Angel CreekTranscanyon WaterlineGrand Canyon recoverySouth RimTimothy Allen SmithNational Park ServiceArizonaGrand Canyon National Park
Link Copied To Clipboard!
Latest Instagram Posts
64
After the Democrats flipped control of both the House and the Senate, victorious candidates celebrated their historic wins in victory speeches across the country.
37
Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms is the first Black female governor in US history.
384
In July, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was killed in Houston by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in a traffic stop as part of a “targeted operation,” ICE said. Voters are now leaving their “I Voted” stickers at his memorial site.
37
The Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival, presented by Agua Caliente Casinos, returns November 20–22, 2026, for a weekend of hot air balloons, live music and entertainment. Saturday, November 21: 6:30 PM – Robin Thicke performs live. 7:45 PM – Festival drone light show. Tickets and more information at www.cchotairballoonfest.com. #CathedralCity #HotAirBalloonFestival #RobinThicke #AguaCalienteCasinos #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #DroneLightShow #NBCPalmSprings
23
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. Do you do your holiday shopping early or late?
293
HISTORY COULD BE MADE IN COACHELLA! 🇺🇸 Denise Delgado is taking an early lead in the race for Coachella mayor. If the results hold, she would become the first woman elected mayor in the city’s 80-year history! Votes are still being counted on Election Night. #Coachella #ElectionNight #Election2026 #RiversideCounty #NBCPalmSprings
84
Tonight we are hearing from both CA District 36 State Assembly candidates, after early polling has showed that Democratic nominee Dr. Ida Obeso-Martinez is currently in the lead. However with less than half the votes counted still, Jeff Gonzalez says it’s too early to tell who will win. We will have future numbers here and our website nbcpalmsprings.com #nbcpalmsprings #2026election #fyp #elections
238
BREAKING: NBC News projects Democrats have won control of the House. A major Election Night shift in Washington as Democrats secure control of the House of Representatives, changing the balance of power in Congress. What does this mean for President Trump’s agenda and the next two years in Washington? Stay with NBC Palm Springs for continuing Election Night coverage. #ElectionNight #Midterms2026 #Democrats #HouseOfRepresentatives ElectionResults NBCPalmSprin
230
Election Day is officially here and we’re closely tracking your Coachella Valley local races. Our @newsbyalondra is keeping a close eye on the city of Coachella’s mayoral and city council races. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs on air and online for your latest election coverage.
57
The California State Assembly District 36 race heats up between Jeff Gonzalez and Dr. Ida Obeso-Martinez, and we have all the coverage here and on nbcpalmsprings.com #election2026 #nbcpalmsprings #district36 #fyp