Search underway for Arizona woman swept away in Grand Canyon flash flood

A search is underway for an Arizona woman swept away by a flash flood at Grand National Park.

The National Park Service is still looking for 33-year-old Chenoa Nickerson, who fell into a Havasu Creek about half a mile above the Colorado River confluence without a life jacket on Thursday, according to a news release.

The park service was "actively engaged" in search and rescue operations after the flash flood at Havasu Creek, which occurred just before 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Rescue efforts were deployed "promptly" to assist several hikers who were stranded below and above Beaver Falls after the flood, according to the park service.

Park service spokesperson Joelle Baird said it's the first flash flood at Havasu Creek in 2024.

Missing woman and husband swept away, reports say

Nickerson was separated from her husband when the flash flood hit, according to reporting by KPHO-TV. The couple was hiking in the Supai Village area, which is located within Havasu Canyon on the Havasupai Indian Reservation.

The area is wildly popular among tourists who are attracted to the area's waterfalls and heavenly blue pools.

Nickerson’s husband was found by local rafters, family members told the station. They were visiting the area from Gilbert, a Phoenix suburb.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the NPS at (888) 653-0009 or [email protected].

Contributing: Sam Kmack; Arizona Republic