Gilbert woman missing after flash flood at Grand Canyon National Park
Aug 23, 2024, 11:15 AM | Updated: Aug 26, 2024, 9:39 am
Chenoa Nickerson of Gilbert went missing after a flash flood at Havasu Creek in Grand Canyon National Park on Aug. 22, 2024. (Photos via National Park Service)
(Photos via National Park Service)
PHOENIX — A Gilbert woman is missing after getting caught up in a flash flood at Grand Canyon National Park on Thursday, authorities said.
Chenoa Nickerson, 33, was swept into Havasu Creek about half a mile above the Colorado River, the National Park Service said Friday.
Several hikers were stranded below and above Beaver Falls after the flash flood, which occurred just before 1:30 p.m. Thursday, according to officials. Rescue efforts were launched by 3 p.m.
Beaver Falls is just up Havasu Creek from Havasupai Falls, a well-known natural attraction on tribal land in the Grand Canyon.
Nickerson, who wasn’t wearing a life jacket, is the only individual who hasn’t been accounted for. She is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 190 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.
Anybody with information about her whereabouts is asked to call National Park Service Investigative Services Branch tip line at 888-653-0009.
Other hikers made it to the village, about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from the campground, where they awaited a helicopter ride. Gov. Katie Hobbs activated the Arizona National Guard late Friday, including Blackhawk helicopters, to help evacuate hikers from the village. She said the operations may continue Saturday.
The reservation is one of the most remote in the continental U.S., accessible only by foot, mule or helicopter. The Tribal Council closed the steep, winding trail that leads to the reservation after the flooding and asked visitors with permits through Sunday not to come.
“We kindly ask for your patience as we see to the health and safety of the tourists and the Tribal members,” the tribe’s tourism department said on its Facebook page.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
