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

A search is underway for an Arizona woman who was swept away in a flash flood Thursday while hiking at Grand Canyon National Park.

Chenoa Nickerson, 33 of Gilbert, Arizona, has been missing since Thursday afternoon, when she was swept into Havasu Creek about half a mile above where it meets the Colorado River, according to a news release from the National Park Service. She was not wearing a life jacket and it is believed she may have since entered the Colorado River.

The flash flood happened around 1:30 p.m. local time and stranded several hikers in the area.

“Rescue efforts began promptly, with an initial flight taking off before 3 p.m. to assist individuals stranded both below and above Beaver Falls,” the National Park Service said.

Nickerson’s husband was also swept away but he was rescued by a group of rafters, NBC affiliate KPNX reported.

Nickerson is described as a brunette with blue eyes who was last seen wearing a black tank top and shorts with blue hiking boots.