In a stunning display of nature's ability to ruin a perfectly good hiking trip, flash flooding swept through parts of the Grand Canyon on Saturday, leaving more than 20 people unaccounted for and turning a scenic trek into an impromptu evacuation drill.

The National Park Service (NPS) reported that the flood hit at around 14:30 local time (22:30 BST) in the Bright Angel Canyon and Phantom Ranch area, two spots that are now presumably a bit more 'flash' than they are 'canyon.' So far, 62 people have been airlifted out of the area, with more expected to follow. Miraculously, no injuries have been reported, which is either a testament to the hikers' agility or the sheer speed of the rescue teams.

The NPS noted that the flooding caused 'significant damage' in some areas, and, in a move that will surprise no one, closed the trails. They also warned that more thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are forecast for Sunday and Monday, which could lead to 'additional flash flooding, debris flows, rockfall and changing trail and river conditions' - basically, all the things you don't want when you're at the bottom of a giant hole in the ground.

The NPS has appealed to anyone who knew of hikers or backpackers in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on Saturday to get in touch, presumably to update them on whether their loved ones are among the soggy but safe.

The Grand Canyon, a perennial favorite for those who enjoy walking into a massive geological feature, attracts about five million visitors a year. The Bright Angel trail is its most popular hike, and the Phantom Ranch area - reachable only by foot, mule, or rafting the Colorado River - is a hotspot for those who like their vacations with a side of muscle fatigue.

As the region braces for more storms, we can only hope that the remaining hikers are found safe, dry, and with a newfound respect for the phrase 'flash flood warning.'