Grand Canyon Hiker Missing After Flash Floods and Evacuations

27.08.2024 - 16:33 / nytimes.com

A hiker remained missing on Sunday, according to the National Park Service, and more than 100 people were evacuated after flash flooding at a remote reservation on the border of Grand Canyon National Park.

The Havasupai Indian Reservation, which is known for its stunning waterfalls and is visited by thousands of tourists each year, was inundated on Thursday, prompting rescues and evacuations over the last several days.

Gov. Katie Hobbs of Arizona deployed the State National Guard on Friday to help tribal, county, state and federal agencies respond to the flooding at the reservation, which can be reached only by foot, mule or helicopter and is administered by the Havasupai Tribe.

An estimated 104 tourists and tribal members have been evacuated from the area since Thursday, The Arizona Republic reported.

The National Guard helped people stranded at high-altitude areas near Havasupai Falls and brought food and water to the area. Representatives for the National Guard and the governor’s office could not be immediately reached on Sunday.

As of Sunday morning, one hiker remained missing.

The hiker, Chenoa Nickerson, 33, was last seen on Thursday during the flash flooding. She was swept into Havasu Creek, about half a mile from the confluence of the Colorado River, according to the National Park Service.

Ms. Nickerson, who is from Gilbert, Ariz., may have fallen into the Colorado River. She was not wearing a life jacket.

Ms. Nickerson’s sister, Tamara Morales, said on Facebook on Sunday that her sister was still missing. Ms. Nickerson had been hiking with her husband, who was rescued.

“To everyone searching for our sweet sister, we see you, we hear you, we are praying alongside you,” Ms. Morales said.

There have been ground and aerial searches for Ms. Nickerson, and a rescue vessel was on the Colorado River searching for her, the Park Service said.

The flash flood at Havasu Creek occurred shortly before 1:30 p.m. and left several hikers stranded, according to the Park Service.

Helicopters were used to help people below and above Beaver Falls on the remote Havasupai Reservation, a popular destination for hikers that is known for its turquoise waters nestled among arid canyons.

There is a high risk of flash floods there during the monsoon season, which takes place from late June through August.

Some parts of Havasu canyon are off limits to visitors because of continuing repairs from flood damage that occurred in 2018, 2019 and 2022.

The Havasupai Tribal Council said on Facebook on Saturday that it was closing the area to tourists indefinitely.

“Officials will be arriving in Supai over the next few days to assess the damage and to begin the process of cleanup and repairs,” the council said.