Woman Missing After Grand Canyon Flash Flood Leads to 100+ Rescues

Search efforts continued on Sunday for a 33-year-old woman who was swept away during a flash flood at the Grand Canyon. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has activated the National Guard to assist with emergency rescue operations.

Chenoa Nickerson, a resident of Gilbert, Arizona, has been unaccounted for since Thursday afternoon. Heavy rainfall caused a flash flood that carried her into Havasu Creek, roughly half a mile from its confluence with the Colorado River, as reported by the National Park Service.

At the time of her disappearance, Nickerson was wearing a life jacket. Described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing approximately 190 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes, she was last seen dressed in a black tank top, black shorts, and blue hiking boots.

The search for Nickerson is primarily taking place in the Beaver Falls area of the Grand Canyon. Rescue crews are employing ground, air, and boat searches to locate her. She had been camping at a location near Supai village on the Havasupai Reservation at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Her family has expressed their heartfelt concern, stating, “We love her very much and are not giving up on her.” Nickerson was out hiking when torrential rains inundated the area, leading to her being swept into the creek.

The National Weather Service reported that the area received 1 to 2 inches of rain in a span of 60 to 90 minutes during the chaos. This sudden influx of water trapped many other tourists who were hiking and camping in the vicinity, prompting emergency rescues of residents from the Havasupai Indian Reservation.

The Havasupai Tribal Council announced on Saturday that the storm rendered all trails leading to and from Supai impassable. This area is known for its stunning blue-green waterfalls, especially Havasu Falls, known for its dramatic 100-foot vertical drop.

The Tribal Council further indicated that a nearby campground suffered significant damage due to flooding, necessitating evacuation and closure.

The council has stated that its primary concern is the safety and health of tribal members and those who provide services in Supai.

Governor Hobbs ordered the activation of the National Guard on Friday evening to aid in the ongoing rescue missions. In her statement, she expressed, “My heart is with all of the people impacted by the flooding in Havasupai, including tribal members and visitors to the area.” She emphasized her commitment to monitoring the situation closely and ensuring the safety of both residents and visitors. The Arizona National Guard has so far evacuated over 100 tourists and residents from the Havasupai Indian Reservation by helicopter.

One Supai resident, Rochelle Tilousi, recounted a harrowing experience of being separated from her children by the rushing waters. Fortunately, the children managed to escape the flooding and are safe, but Tilousi lamented that her family’s pets were lost in the storm’s chaos.

“Part of our village is still flooded,” Tilousi noted, highlighting the ongoing impact of the disaster as the community deals with the aftermath of this natural calamity.

Source: ABC News