Flash Floods Devastate Grand Canyon

Three days after a storm unleashed a devastating flash flood in the Grand Canyon, the family of the last remaining missing hiker from a group of three Texas men said they remain hopeful he will be found. Timothy Smith, 53, was hiking in the canyon with friends Saturday when the flood struck. His companions, Dr. John Giusti, a 46-year-old chiropractor from Granbury, Texas, and Brent Rosenkranz, a martial arts studio owner, were killed, according to family statements reported by CBS News and The Dallas Morning News.

All three men are from Granbury, Texas. They entered the Grand Canyon on Friday and hiked to Bright Angel Campground, with plans to spend two nights exploring trails near the bottom of the canyon and go fishing before moving on to Havasupai Gardens, their families said in a joint statement reported by CBS News.

The flash floods, triggered by heavy rain over the weekend, swept through parts of the park, including Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area. The Grand Canyon received almost half a year's worth of rain in two days, CBS News reported. The National Park Service said nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, and rescuers saved about 80 people from the park, including a hiker from Coppell, according to The Dallas Morning News.

The Missing and the Search

Giusti's two companions — Rosenkranz and Smith — were among roughly 15 people still believed to be missing as of Monday, according to a family statement reported by CBS News. Park officials said Tuesday they are searching by air and ground for the last hiker, The Dallas Morning News reported.

More heavy rain on Monday hampered rescue efforts, grounding helicopters, CBS News reported. An Arizona Department of Public Safety official cited lack of cellphone coverage and possible language barriers as reasons for difficulty contacting the missing, CBS News reported. Many of the missing are believed to be foreign tourists, and the remoteness of the terrain is a complicating factor, as no roads exist inside the park.

Over the weekend, rangers ordered hikers to run as creeks swelled, CBS News reported. Erica Viola and her boyfriend were among those racing to safety; the footbridge they used to reach safety was destroyed ten minutes later, Viola told CBS News. Another hiker, Steve Kramer, hiked out but faced falling rocks, saying there was nowhere to go and nowhere out, CBS News reported.

The Victims

Dr. John Giusti, a chiropractor who ran ChiroHabit in Granbury, was described by his family as a devoted father of three daughters. His wife, Janet Giusti, said in a statement that he had dreamt of this Grand Canyon adventure and planned to document the trip on his Facebook page, where he posted a smiling photo with the caption "Day one arrived at the Grand Canyon," The Dallas Morning News reported.

"To the community, he was a gifted healer. To his friends, a powerhouse of life. To his daughters, he was their ultimate hero. To me, he was my whole world," Janet Giusti said in a statement reported by CBS News. In another statement, she said, "While our grief is as vast and profound as the canyon itself, we find a small comfort in knowing he spent his final moments surrounded by breathtaking beauty, living life to the fullest."

Brent Rosenkranz owned ATA Martial Arts in Granbury and earned the reputation of 'baby whisperer' at his church, The Dallas Morning News reported. He was a father of three boys. His family described him as a "lifelong martial artist who has dedicated much of his life to teaching and mentoring young people," CBS News reported. A GoFundMe for Rosenkranz's family said words cannot properly express the heartbreak they feel, The Dallas Morning News reported. The fundraising page added, "Right now, Elisha and her three boys are facing a life they never imagined they would have to live — learning how to move forward without Brent by their side."

Timothy Smith, a pilot born and raised in Granbury who now lives in Star Valley Ranch, Wyoming, was a husband and father of three. His wife, Carrie Smith, said he "loves the outdoors, exploring and helping others," CBS News reported. In a video published Tuesday on Facebook, she thanked first responders and asked for prayers, The Dallas Morning News reported. "We ask that you keep praying for the safety of all those in the canyon looking and helping our family," Smith said, sitting on a couch beside their three children. "We ask that you pray for us for strength as we continue this journey of not knowing where Tim is." The family believes God has a plan, she said in the Facebook message.

Families Express Gratitude and Hope

The families of the three men expressed gratitude to search-and-rescue personnel and asked for prayers in a joint statement reported by CBS News. "Our families are profoundly grateful to the search-and-rescue personnel working to bring our loved ones home and to everyone who has prayed for us, reached out, offered help and surrounded our families with love," the statement said.

Smith's wife, in her Facebook video, said, "Please continue to pray with us as the search and rescue teams look for our Daddy," and added, "We are praying that he is found today." Services for the men have not been announced, The Dallas Morning News reported.