OVER 100 people have been rescued by helicopter after they got trapped by flash floods near the Grand Canyon – but one hiker remains missing.
Searchers have been unable to find Chenoa Nickerson, 33, who is believed to have been swept away during monsoons in Havasuapi Indian Reservation in Arizona.
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Nickerson was hiking about a half-mile from the Colorado River when flooding trapped her in the most remote area in the country on Thursday morning, ABC affiliate KNXV reported.
The National Guard managed to evacuate 104 other tourists and tribal members from the Grand Canyon area but are still searching for the hiker.
“My heart is with all of the people impacted by the flooding in Havasupai, including Tribal members and visitors to the area. I am closely monitoring the situation and we have deployed the Arizona National Guard to get people to safety,” Governor Katie Hobbs after the evacutaion.
“The safety and security of Arizonans and all those who visit our state is always my top concern, and I’ll continue working closely with leaders on the ground to protect the Havasupai community.”
Hobbs stated that the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs is coordinating with tribal, state, county, and federal agencies to help with evacuation efforts and to find Nickerson.
The Havasuapi Indian Reservation is one of the most desolate areas in the continental United States and is only accessible by mule, helicopter or foot, according to The Associated Press.
Nickerson’s sister Tamara Morales praised the efforts of the rescue crew for “navigating incredibly dangerous terrain with extremely limited methods of communication while leaving no stone unturned.”
“We are profoundly grateful for you and fully acknowledge that you are currently defying the impossible,” she posted on Facebook Saturday morning.
“Chenoa Nickerson is still missing,” Morales reminded her followers.
“The National Parks Service Search and Rescue (NPS SAR) is utilizing every resource to find our sister and to rescue the hundreds of stranded campers.”
The missing hiker’s sister shared a picture of Nickerson and her husband, Andrew, who was hiking alongside her.
“Chenoa and her husband Andrew Nickerson were hiking in the Havasupai area on 08/22/24,” she wrote in a post on Friday.
“Andrew reached out to his father via satellite phone on 08/22/2024 at 18:16 reporting that Chenoa and him were caught in a flash flood and that they were both swept away and that Andrew was rescued.
“He said he is at a safe spot camping with a rafting crew who rescued him and that NPS SAR was on sight as of last night.
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“Please help us. We are desperate,” she ended the post.
Morales posted the same two posts in four different Havasupai-related Facebook groups in the hope that someone would have more information about her missing sister.
Over 1,000 people reacted to the heartbreaking message, and hundreds commented wishing for the safe return of Nickerson.
“My brother in law, nephews and their friends are down there in Supai awaiting helicopter flight from national guard,” one woman commented.
What to do during monsoon season
The Havasupai Tribe warns visitors on its website about the dangers of monsoon season. Monsoon season typically occurs between late June to early September and can cause common flash floods.
Here’s what to do according to the tribe’s website:
- Watch for rain and dark clouds especially in the south
- Flash flooding can occur without warning and without any rain where you are hiking.
- If you hear the flood waters approaching or if you are caught in a rain storm, climb to high ground immediately and wait until it clears
- Do not enter the narrow part of the canyon where you might not be able to climb the canyon walls in the event of an unexpected flood
“I pray they find Chenoa.”
Another woman shared that her son was still stuck in the falls waiting to be evacuated.
“Ugh my son is stuck down at the bottom since yesterday and thank god he and his friends are safe,” a mother commented Friday night.
“He says it been wild and they have a huge search party going on.
“I’m starting to get nervous, though, because he was told he would be airlifted out yesterday and then today and just told me that the National Guard refused to help and the helicopter they were using to get people out is not running tomorrow.”
MONSOON SEASON
The flash flooding doesn’t come as a surprise for those who live area.
The Havasupai Tribe’s website warns visitors of excessive flooding between June to August, a time of year deemed monsoon season.
“Although floods can occur anytime of the year, the monsoon season occurs from late in June, well into August. During this time there is a high risk of flash floods,” the website warned.
“Watch for rain and dark clouds especially in the south. Flash flooding can occur without warning and without any rain where you are hiking.
“If you hear the flood waters approaching or if you are caught in a rain storm, climb to high ground immediately and wait until it clears. Do not enter the narrow part of the canyon where you might not be able to climb the canyon walls in the event of an unexpected flood.”
The tribe posted on Facebook Friday afternoon announcing that it will close the Trail into Supai Village until Sunday afternoon.
“The Council is actively engaged in safely evacuating those tourists that were in Supai at the time of the flooding.
“We kindly ask for your patience as we see to the health and safety of the tourists and the Tribal members.”
