Rescue teams at Grand Canyon National Park are tirelessly searching for a 33-year-old Gilbert woman, Chenoa Nickerson, who was swept away in a powerful flash flood while hiking in Havasu Canyon. The incident occurred on Thursday when Nickerson and her husband found themselves half a mile above the Colorado River confluence and were unexpectedly overcome by fast-moving floodwaters, according to the National Park Service.

Though Nickerson's husband was fortunate enough to be rescued by a group of rafters, his efforts to locate his wife were unsuccessful. Determined to find her, Nickerson's family remains hopeful and determined, as her brother Janosh Wolters expressed, "We love her and we won't give up until we find her," in an interview with 12News.

Amidst the ongoing search efforts for Nickerson, approximately 60 stranded campers upstream in Havasu Canyon are eagerly awaiting evacuation via helicopter. Having endured the harrowing experience of the flash flood, many hikers and campers have found themselves unable to leave the area. Portions of the 10-mile trail connecting the campground and the trailhead have become impassible, leaving stranded individuals reliant on helicopter assistance.

Latricia Mimbs, a visitor from Mississippi, shared her group's brush with danger as they were setting up tents near the Havasupai campground, where Havasu Creek runs through. They heeded the warning of a ranger friend, who highlighted the risks associated with the monsoon season and advised them to seek higher ground upon hearing thunder. Mimbs and her group managed to evacuate to a hilltop just in time before the flood hit, witnessing the transformation of the picturesque turquoise waterfalls into a turbulent, brown torrent.

While the Havasupai tribe has been providing stranded campers with essential supplies such as food and water, approximately 200 individuals are still patiently waiting for rescue operations to commence. While the helicopter can only accommodate five people at a time, efforts are underway to evacuate all individuals within the next few hours.

For Mimbs, who has visited Havasu Canyon four times before, this trip has emphasized the inherent power and unpredictability of nature. Nevertheless, she remains optimistic, joining countless others in their prayers for Nickerson's safe return. "We're praying for them," shared Mimbs, a sentiment echoed by concerned members of the community.

As the search and rescue mission continues, the Grand Canyon National Park and surrounding communities are rallying together, offering support and assistance to those affected by this tragic event.