Chenoa Nickerson, 33, has been missing since Thursday afternoon, NPS said.
A 33-year-old woman has been missing since Thursday following a flash flood in Grand Canyon National Park, officials said.
Search and rescue operations are underway for Chenoa Nickerson, of Gilbert, Arizona, after she was swept into a creek Thursday afternoon during a flash flood, according to the National Park Service.
Chenoa Nickerson is seen in this undated photo shared by NPS in hopes the public can help locate her after going missing in the Grand Canyon.
Courtesy NPS
The flash flood struck Havasu Creek shortly before 1:30 p.m. local time Thursday, the NPS said.
The flash flood “led to several hikers being stranded in the affected area,” the NPS said in a press release on Friday.
Chenoa Nickerson is seen in this undated photo shared by NPS in hopes the public can help locate her after going missing in the Grand Canyon.
Courtesy NPS
A rescue flight helped people who were stranded below and above Beaver Falls, though Nickerson remains missing, the NPS said. She was swept into the creek approximately a half mile above the Colorado River confluence and was not wearing a life jacket, the NPS said.
Nickerson was last seen wearing a black tank top, black shorts and blue hiking boots, according to a missing person flyer. She is described as being 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information on her is asked to contact the NPS tip line at 888-653-0009.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for parts of Coconino County on Thursday, including along and around the Havasu Creek basin.
The Grand Canyon’s Preventive Search and Rescue team assisted 455 hikers in 2023, according to the Grand Canyon Conservancy.
The Grand Canyon National Park has been in the headlines recently after a hiker was reported missing following a flash flood in the area. The National Park Service (NPS) has launched a search and rescue operation to locate the missing individual, who was last seen hiking in a creek in the Grand Canyon.
The incident occurred on a sunny afternoon when a sudden and intense storm hit the area, causing flash flooding in the creek where the hiker was exploring. The NPS received a distress call from a fellow hiker who witnessed the individual being swept away by the fast-moving waters.
Search and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the scene to begin the search for the missing hiker. However, the rugged and remote terrain of the Grand Canyon presents significant challenges for rescue operations, especially in the aftermath of a flash flood.
The NPS is urging hikers and visitors to exercise caution when exploring the Grand Canyon, especially during monsoon season when flash floods are more likely to occur. Flash floods can happen suddenly and without warning, posing a serious risk to anyone in their path.
In light of this incident, the NPS is reminding hikers to always check weather forecasts before embarking on any outdoor activities and to be prepared for changing conditions. It is also important to stay on designated trails and avoid hiking in narrow canyons or near waterways during periods of heavy rain.
The search for the missing hiker is ongoing, with NPS officials working tirelessly to locate and rescue the individual. The safety and well-being of visitors to the Grand Canyon is always a top priority for the NPS, and they are committed to ensuring the swift and safe resolution of this incident.
As more information becomes available, the NPS will continue to provide updates on the search and rescue efforts. In the meantime, hikers are advised to exercise caution and be vigilant when exploring the Grand Canyon, particularly during times of inclement weather.
