Video Captures Grand Canyon Visitors Taking Shelter in Cave During Flood

Last week, a severe flash flood turned Grand Canyon National Park into a dangerous area, culminating in the tragic death of one woman and leaving numerous individuals stranded. The flood hit Havasu Canyon, approximately 30 miles from Grand Canyon Village in Arizona, just before 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.

The National Park Service acted quickly to provide assistance, deploying teams to help hikers stranded around Beaver Falls and to search for 33-year-old Chenoa Nickerson, who had been swept away by the rushing water.

After three days of searching, Nickerson’s body was discovered in the Colorado River on Sunday. She was last seen at the confluence of the river and Havasu Creek, which heightened the urgency of the rescue efforts.

In the aftermath of the flood, over 100 people, including Carly Johnson, were airlifted from the area by the Arizona National Guard, as reported by The Arizona Republic. Rescue operations efficiently transported anyone requesting evacuation to safety by Saturday afternoon.

According to Joelle Baird, a spokesperson for the National Park Service, Nickerson was the sole fatality reported due to the flood. Interestingly, there were no injuries associated with the flash flood within the boundaries of the Havasupai Indian Reservation, which manages the area above Beaver Falls.

Carly Johnson, one among many caught in the flood at Mooney Falls, recounted her experience as the muddy water surged into the canyon. Johnson and her companions found themselves trapped, seeking refuge in a cave to shield themselves from the powerful waves.

In a post on Facebook, Johnson detailed their escape, stating that their group was the last to leave the area on Friday. She described the harrowing moments: “The ladder was underwater by the time we got to the top of the chains. Once we got off the chains, we saw a wall of water coming at us and were able to run into this cave.”

As tourists remained caught in the aftermath of the flooding, the Havasupai Tribe announced the indefinite closure of Supai Village, which is situated within Havasu Canyon. They communicated through Facebook that the trail, campground, and falls are currently impassable, and damage in the area was extensive.

“Therefore, the Council has made the difficult but necessary decision to close Havasupai to tourists until further notice,” the announcement stated.

Abbie Fink, a spokesperson for the Havasupai Tribe, noted that no decisions have yet been made regarding the reservations affected by this closure. Authorities planned to visit Supai to evaluate the damage and initiate the cleanup and repair processes, emphasizing that the council’s immediate focus is on ensuring the health and safety of tribal members and those offering services in Supai.

The situation this week in Grand Canyon National Park serves as a stark reminder of the power of natural events and the importance of safety precautions when in these beautiful but potentially dangerous environments. The investigation into the conditions surrounding the flood and its impact on visitors and residents will likely continue in the days to come.

Source: USA TODAY