Chenoa Nickerson Death: The body of a missing hiker was recovered along the Colorado River on Sunday after flash flooding in Grand Canyon National Park triggered a series of rescue operations, saving over 100 people. The search for 33-year-old Chenoa Nickerson began on Thursday when flash floods swept her into the park’s Havasu Creek, according to the National Park Service. Her body was discovered by a commercial river trip group near mile 176 of the Colorado River, marking a tragic end to the search effort.
The National Park Service, in conjunction with the Coconino County medical examiner, is conducting an investigation into Nickerson’s death, according to a statement released on Sunday. The same hazardous flooding that claimed Nickerson’s life led to the evacuation of 104 tourists and tribal members from a canyon on the Havasupai Tribe’s lands within the park. Arizona’s National Guard deployed a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to assist with the evacuation on Saturday, as captured in video footage released by the Guard. The flash floods, triggered by intense monsoon storms on Thursday, forced local authorities to close the area to tourists and initiate emergency evacuations.
The Havasupai Tribal Council also closed the remote village of Supai, located eight miles below the rim of the Grand Canyon, to protect the community from further danger. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs activated the Arizona National Guard to aid in the rescue efforts on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, which is surrounded by Grand Canyon National Park. Fortunately, CNN meteorologists have forecasted a break in the weather, with no rain expected in the area over the coming days. The tragic death of Chenoa Nickerson and the dramatic rescues of over 100 people underscore the unpredictable and dangerous conditions that can arise in one of the nation’s most iconic natural landscapes. The park and tribal communities are now focused on recovery and ensuring the safety of those who live in or visit the area.
