Arizona Guard rescues 104 from Grand Canyon floods
Rescue operations ongoing after Grand Canyon floods, hiker still missing
More than 100 individuals were rescued by Arizona’s National Guard from a flood-affected area in Grand Canyon National Park as search efforts for a missing hiker continued on Sunday. Using a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, Guard members evacuated 104 tourists and tribal members from a canyon on the Havasupai Tribe’s land within the park on Saturday, as shown in video footage from the Arizona National Guard.
Monsoon storms on Thursday caused flooding, leading local authorities to halt tourist activities and initiate several emergency evacuations. The Havasupai Tribal Council announced in a news release on Saturday that tribal leaders had closed the remote village of Supai, located 8 miles below the Grand Canyon’s rim.
According to the National Park Service, flash flooding inside the park on Thursday swept hiker Chenoa Nickerson, 33, into Havasu Creek. Search and rescue operations were ongoing on Sunday. A Friday news release from the park service indicated that Nickerson, from Gilbert, Arizona, might have been carried away by floodwaters near the Colorado River confluence. She was not wearing a life jacket at the time.
Flash flooding in Arizona, USA, has cut off all access to Supai and Havasupai Falls, leaving one woman missing. The tribal council has decided to close their lands, and Governor Hobbs has activated the National Guard to assist.pic.twitter.com/J2MH9EUlk7
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) August 25, 2024
Several hikers were stranded during the flash flood early Thursday afternoon. A rescue flight aimed to recover hikers stranded both below and above Beaver Falls, but Nickerson remained missing.
The National Park Service described Nickerson as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. They urged anyone with information to contact their Investigative Services tip line.
Her sister, Tamara Morales, expressed optimism, saying, “We remain hopeful that she will be found safely,” as reported by a local news affiliate. Morales also mentioned that Nickerson’s husband had been safely rescued.
Gov. Katie Hobbs of Arizona activated the National Guard to assist with rescue efforts on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, which is surrounded by Grand Canyon National Park. Meteorologists report no rain is forecasted for the area in the coming days.
A married couple from North Carolina, hiking in the Havasupai Indian Reservation on Thursday, recounted their experience to a news agency. Shruti Chopra, 34, mentioned they were aware of rain in the forecast but did not anticipate the severe flash flooding. She and her husband, along with a family of four, sought shelter in a cove. A Native American man on a mule warned them to seek higher ground.
Recognising the urgency in his voice and the rapidly rising floodwaters, the group climbed to higher ground and headed for the nearest village. Chopra described their three-hour journey, during which they crossed rivers, formed human chains, and navigated thorny bushes and cacti. At one point, a boulder fell, hitting a tree and sending a large branch towards them.
Upon reaching the village, they were welcomed by other hikers. The National Guard evacuated Chopra and her husband to safety on Saturday morning.
The story has been updated with additional information.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The **New York Times** article reports on the recent flooding in the Grand Canyon, where a hiker has gone missing, highlighting the challenges faced by rescue teams in the harsh environment.(read more)
- WRTV reports that over 100 people were rescued from the Grand Canyon after flash flooding, while a search continues for a missing hiker, Chenoa Nickerson, who was swept into Havasu Creek without a life jacket.(read more)
- AOL: More than 100 people were rescued after flash flooding in Grand Canyon National Park, with over 100 tourists and tribal members evacuated from a canyon on the Havasupai Tribe’s lands. The National Guard used a helicopter to assist in the evacuations and search efforts are ongoing for a missing hiker, Chenoa Nickerson, who was swept away by the flood.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
How many people did the Arizona National Guard rescue from the Grand Canyon area?
They rescued 104 tourists and tribal members.
What caused the flooding in Grand Canyon National Park?
The flooding was triggered by monsoon storms.
Who is the missing hiker in the Grand Canyon flood?
The missing hiker is Chenoa Nickerson, 33, from Gilbert, Arizona.
Is there any forecasted rain in the area after the flood?
No, CNN meteorologists say no rain is forecasted for the coming days.
What did the Native American man advise the hikers to do during the flood?
He yelled, ‘Higher ground! Higher ground!’
