Flood in the Canyon: Survival and Loss | Salt Lake City News

A flash flood in the Grand Canyon claimed two lives and left one missing, but one survivor, Mike Cortes, walked out just hours before the waters surged—only to later grapple with survivor’s guilt as he shared his pre-flood footage with grieving families. David Gregory and his group at Phantom Ranch watched Bright Angel Creek turn from serene stream to deadly torrent, barely realizing the danger until park rangers evacuated them by helicopter. Their tense evacuation ended at a well-organized elementary school, where they reflected on their lucky escape—including crossing a bridge that vanished beneath the flood. Gregory credits the rangers for saving lives, while Cortes found himself carrying a heavier burden: preserving memories for those who lost loved ones, turning his survival into a quiet act of witness. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Sources:https://www.deseret.com/the-west/2026/09/15/grand-canyon-hikers-talk-about-surviving-flash-floods/ More coverage & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/86e382747b49688e Report issues to [email protected].