One of many Santa Clara homes devastated by flooding,Santa Clara, Utah, Sept.11, 2012 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
SANTA CLARA – Flood waters raged through Santa Clara homes and businesses today after a retention dike collapsed due to excessive rain. Officials warned surrounding residents of the danger this morning, and many evacuated.
The city reservoir west of Snow Canyon Middle School has rarely seen this much water, but the flood drainage through the City of Ivins was enough to displace the dike and let it rush through.
One of the businesses hit the hardest was Dutchman’s Market, on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Canyon View Drive.
“The water broke through the back door until it filled up, then broke through the front door,” owner Lisa Frei said. “It’s totaled in there. We’re just trying to get what we can out of there, and salvage what we can.”
After 26 years in business and a recent remodeling to her store, Frei is left to work things out on her own knee-deep in mud. Many businesses and homes in the area do not have flood insurance because floods are rare in this area, so residents are taking the devastation full force.
“The citizens have been real good here, they dropped off sandbags,” said Tom Laier, a resident whose home was hit by the flood water. “Santa Clara City is a great place to live. I love it here. My boss is out here helping me, and neighbors. It’s a sad situation, but everyone is doing what they can. Hopefully some of the work we’re doing here will save us from getting flooded again.”
City workers passed through the neighborhood to warn residents and are continuing to direct traffic, clean up and provide resources to those in need.
Flood warnings are still in effect for the area, and residents are cautioned of the dangers still to come.
Additional photos below:
Evidence of flood waters rising as high as two feet, Sept.11, 2012 | Chris Caldwell, St. George NewsCleanup efforts in Santa Clara, Utah, Sept.11, 2012 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George NewsChildren’s bicycles swept away by flood waters, Santa Clara, Utah, Sept.11, 2012 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George NewsSanta Clara home devastated by raging flood waters, Santa Clara, Utah, Sept.11, 2012 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George NewsDebris littering streets in Santa Clara, Utah, Sept.11, 2012 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George NewsSanta Clara neighborhood devastated by raging flood waters,Santa Clara, Utah, Sept.11, 2012 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George NewsFlooding at Dutchman’s Bakery in Santa Clara, Utah, Sept.11, 2012 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George NewsConcerned citizens studying the breached dike, Santa Clara, Utah, Sept.11, 2012 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George NewsSanta Clara River overflowing, Santa Clara, Utah, Sept.11, 2012 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George NewsFlood waters rushing through the breached dike alongside Canyon View Dr., Santa Clara, Utah, Sept.11, 2012 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George NewsFlooding at the Sinclair gas station in Santa Clara, Utah, Sept.11, 2012 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George NewsWorking to clear the intersection of Santa Clara Dr. and Canyon View Dr. in Santa Clara, Utah, Sept.11, 2012 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George NewsFlooding at the corner of Sunset Blvd. and Canyon View Dr. in Santa Clara, Utah, Sept.11, 2012 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George NewsOne of many Santa Clara homes devastated by flooding,Santa Clara, Utah, Sept.11, 2012 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2012, all rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Caldwell is a recent grad from Dixie State, with a degree in Mass Communication and Visual Technologies. He worked as a photographer and photo editor for the Dixie Sun, and can always be found behind a camera. Chris was born in California, then grew up in the St. George area. When he’s not shooting news, Chris is usually outdoors, longboarding, camping, hiking, or fishing; with a camera, of course.
