Flash floods trigger three rescues in Mohave County

Road partially underwater | Photo by Torndadochaser, iStock/Getty Images Plus, St. George News

ST. GEORGE —  Flash floods can develop in just a few minutes and without visible signs of rain, and are the most common and widespread of all weather-related natural disasters in the U.S., and also the most dangerous, a claim supported by the three rescues reported in Mohave County, Arizona, in the wake of heavy rains Thursday.

Pickup truck becomes stranded near Willow Ranch Wash during flash flood, Mohave County, Ariz., July 12, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

The first rescue took place Thursday afternoon after a 75-year old driver lost control of his full-sized pickup truck while attempting to drive through rushing water on Lookout Canyon Road, just east of Kingman, Arizona, according to the statement released by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.

A concerned citizen called 911 to report the incident and Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue was dispatched to the area. They were able to locate the driver who was then removed from the water and returned to safety where neighbors assisted the man until the water receded.

Rescuers were later dispatched to Highway 66 at mile marker 41 in Golden Valley, which is near the Sacramento Wash where seven individuals were reportedly stranded.

Flash flooding covers road near the Sacramento Wash in Golden Valley where 7 individuals become trapped and are later rescued, Mohave County, Ariz., July 12, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

The incident involved multiple vehicles that were stopped between two running washes, leaving the occupants trapped by rising waters. Rescue teams arrived and crossed over the rushing water to where the occupants were waiting, and as waters receded were able to escort the group back over the wash to safety.

Early Friday morning, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue was dispatched to call involving a couple stranded off of Silver Creek Road.

The 27-year-old driver was out four-wheeling with his girlfriend and four dogs when the vehicle broke down, and they began hiking out of the remote area in search of help, only to return to the vehicle a short time later.

Search teams scouring the area located the couple who were then taken to the command post where they had another vehicle waiting.

The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue says to use extreme caution when confronted with running water. Arizona’s Emergency Incident Network provides safety tips and other information that can be found by clicking here. 

Driving: Flood Facts

  • Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling.
  • A foot of water will float many vehicles.
  • Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including SUVs and pickups.
  • Do not attempt to drive through a flooded road. The depth of water is not always obvious. The road bed may be washed out under the water and you could be stranded or trapped.
  • Do not drive around a barricade or try to take short cuts. Stick to designated evacuation routes.
  • Be especially cautious driving at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

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4 Comments

  • Bender July 13, 2018 at 9:35 pm

    Cody, geography tip: southern Mojave county (the part south of grand canyon) is not local to us. It’s a 5 or 6 hour drive to the places mentioned in your story. Las Vegas and even LA are closer. If you’re just looking for filler material keep on keeping on. If you want stories of interest to your readership, cover only northern Mohave county (north of grand canyon).

    • John July 14, 2018 at 9:01 am

      blah blah blah.. she never said it was local, you curmudgeon !

  • Carpe Diem July 14, 2018 at 11:56 am

    Thanks Cody for the report that details rescues from the same flash flooding monsoons that are hitting us. If folks remember, there were many lives lost in our local area the past years from hiking, and vehicles being swept away in flash floods. And by reading the report, it seems like people never learn, a 75 yr old man driving through a flood, SMH.

  • Carpe Diem July 14, 2018 at 12:05 pm

    Geography tip: There is no Mojave County in Arizona, but there is a Mojave Desert. Mohave County AZ, however, is NORTH and SOUTH of the Grand Canyon at the Western end, and it includes Colorado City, and joins Washington County just south of SGU Airport, adjacent to Utah all the way to the State line with Nevada south of Beaver Dam wash… It’s a very large County and runs past Kingman all the way to Lake Havasu.

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