The body of Chenoa Nickerson, a 33-year-old hiker, was recovered on Sunday along the Colorado River after flash flooding swept her into Havasu Creek in Grand Canyon National Park.
Hiker Swept Away by Flash Flooding
Nickerson’s tragic disappearance occurred on Thursday when monsoon storms triggered sudden flash floods in the area. Despite search and rescue operations initiated by the National Park Service, it wasn’t until a commercial river trip group discovered her body near mile 176 of the Colorado River that the search ended in heartbreak. The National Park Service, along with the Coconino County medical examiner, is investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
Mass Evacuations Amid Rising Floodwaters
The severe flooding not only claimed Nickerson’s life but also led to the emergency evacuation of over 100 people from the park. On Saturday, hazardous flood conditions forced Arizona’s National Guard to deploy a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to rescue 104 tourists and tribal members from a canyon on the lands of the Havasupai Tribe within the park. The sudden and intense flooding, driven by monsoon rains, compelled local authorities to close the area to tourists and evacuate those at risk. In response to the escalating situation, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs activated the Arizona National Guard to assist with rescue efforts on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, which lies within the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park. The Havasupai Tribal Council also announced the closure of the remote village of Supai, located 8 miles below the rim of the Grand Canyon, to ensure the safety of the residents and visitors.
Survivors’ Harrowing Journey to Safety
Among those caught in the flooding were Shruti Chopra, 34, and her husband, a married couple from North Carolina, who shared their terrifying experience with CNN. The couple had been hiking in the Havasupai Indian Reservation on Thursday when they were suddenly confronted by the onslaught of flash floods. Despite knowing rain was in the forecast, Chopra did not anticipate the severe danger it posed. As the rain intensified, they, along with a family of four, took shelter in a cove. It was only when a Native American man on a mule urgently warned them to seek higher ground that they realized the gravity of the situation. The group of six scrambled to safety, navigating treacherous conditions as they crossed rivers, formed human chains, and hacked through thorny bushes and cacti. Their ordeal was further intensified when a massive boulder crashed nearby, narrowly missing them and sending debris in their direction.
After hours of struggling against the elements, they finally reached the nearest village, where they were met by other hikers who had also been caught in the floods. The National Guard evacuated Chopra and her husband to safety on Saturday morning, bringing their harrowing experience to an end. The couple’s story is a stark reminder of the unpredictable and dangerous power of nature, particularly in the rugged and remote terrain of the Grand Canyon.