The body of a hiker who disappeared during a flash flood near Grand Canyon National Park four days ago was found on Sunday, according to the National Park Service.
The hiker, Chenoa Nickerson, 33, was last seen about 100 yards from where the Havasu Creek and the Colorado River meet, as floodwaters swept past a remote reservation on the border of the Grand Canyon National Park, the National Park Service said in a statement. More than 100 other people were also evacuated during the flooding.
After days of searching, park officials said that Ms. Nickerson’s body was discovered by people on a commercial river trip and was later transported to the rim of the canyon by helicopter and transferred to the Coconino County Medical Examiner.
Ms. Nickerson’s sister, Tamara Morales, said on Facebook on Sunday that her sister had been hiking with her husband, who was rescued.
No additional details about her death were given, but officials said an investigation into the incident was ongoing.
The Havasupai Indian Reservation, which is known for its stunning waterfalls and is visited by thousands of tourists each year, was inundated on Thursday, prompting rescues and evacuations over the last several days.
Gov. Katie Hobbs of Arizona deployed the State National Guard on Friday to help tribal, county, state and federal agencies respond to the flooding at the reservation, which can be reached only by foot, mule or helicopter and is administered by the Havasupai Tribe.
An estimated 104 tourists and tribal members have been evacuated from the area since Thursday, The Arizona Republic reported.
The National Guard helped people stranded at high-altitude areas near Havasupai Falls and brought food and water to the area. Representatives for the National Guard and the governor’s office could not be immediately reached on Sunday.
The flash flood at Havasu Creek occurred shortly before 1:30 p.m. on Thursday and left several hikers stranded, according to the Park Service.
Helicopters were used to help people below and above Beaver Falls on the remote Havasupai Reservation, a popular destination for hikers that is known for its turquoise waters nestled among arid canyons.
There is a high risk of flash floods there during the monsoon season, which takes place from late June through August.
Some parts of Havasu canyon are off limits to visitors because of continuing repairs from flood damage that occurred in 2018, 2019 and 2022.
The Havasupai Tribal Council said on Facebook on Saturday that it was closing the area to tourists indefinitely.
“Officials will be arriving in Supai over the next few days to assess the damage and to begin the process of cleanup and repairs,” the council said.
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