- NC's cost for Hurricane Helene damage is nearly $60 billion, state says
- State to develop drone program to better respond to disasters like Helene, Florence
- South Carolina residents face deadline to get storm debris out to the curb after Hurricane Helene
- SCDOT to pick up Hurricane Helene debris for a final day in South Carolina
- Hurricane Helene destroyed this county's only hospital. Now, an urgent care facility is caring for the community.
Paradise turned nightmare: Woman missing, hundreds rescued by helicopter after flash flooding in Havasu Canyon
The search and rescue mission in Grand Canyon National Park could stretch into the weekend.
COCONINO COUNTY, Ariz. — Rescue teams in the Grand Canyon National Park continue searching for a Gilbert woman who was swept away in a powerful flash flood Thursday while hiking in Havasu Canyon.
Chenoa Nickerson and her husband were half a mile above the Colorado River confluence when they were swept away by the fast-moving flood waters, according to the National Park Service. Nickerson’s husband was rescued by a group of rafters but was unable to find his 33-year-old wife.
“We love her and we won’t give up until we find her,” Nickerson’s brother Janosh Wolters told 12News.
As crews continue to search for Nickerson, hundreds of stranded campers upstream are waiting for a seat on a helicopter. As of Saturday afternoon, 60 people still were stranded, and officials said they hope to evacuate those individuals within the next few hours.
Latricia Mimbs is visiting Havasu Canyon from Mississippi. Her group heard thunder Thursday afternoon as they set up tents near the Havasupai campground, which Havasu Creek runs through.
“I have a friend who is a ranger and he warned us that it is Monsoon season, if we heard thunder to head to high ground,” Mimbs said. “We actually left the campsite, made it to the hilltop before the flood hit.”
The turquoise waterfalls people come to see quickly turned brown. The flash flood swept through the campground and Mimbs lost her tent and clothes, but not her life.
“I’m really proud of them for not panicking,” Mimbs said. “We all got out safely.”
Many hikers and campers have been unable to leave the area. Mimbs said portions of the 10-mile trail connecting the campground and the trailhead are now impassible. People have been told it will take a helicopter to get them out.
The Havasupai tribe is providing stranded campers with food and water.
“There are 200 of us waiting to fly out,” Mimbs said Friday afternoon. “Five at a time.”
It is her fourth time to Havasu Canyon — only this time she saw firsthand how quickly this paradise can turn into a nightmare. Mimbs remains hopeful that Nickerson will be found safe.
“We’re praying for them,” Mimbs said.
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like “Today in AZ” and “12 News” and our daily lifestyle program, “Arizona Midday”—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for “12 News KPNX.”
Amazon Fire TV: Search for “12 News KPNX” to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.