Paradise turned nightmare: Woman missing, hundreds rescued by helicopter after flash flooding in Havasu Canyon

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.

RELATED: Havasupai closed to tourists after flash flooding

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. 

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