ST. GEORGE — Another afternoon storm resulted in local flooding Monday. And the impacts ranged from concern about drainage to a chance for kids to swim and boat through the muddy mess.
The St. George Police Department posted a video and comment on its Facebook page that read: “Road closure: Horseman Park Drive is closed due to flooding from River Road to Little Valley Elementary. Please avoid that area. And avoid any road with standing water. Turn Around – Don’t Drown.” Click here to view the video.
St. George Public Works Director Cameron Cutler was on the scene at Horseman Park and told St. George News the road in that spot is under construction and at the time, curbs and gutters are not in place. This likely would have helped guide the rainwater into storm drains, he said.
St. George Police officer Tiffany Mitchell said Monday’s flooding had as much to do with the volume of water as it did with the fact that it impacted a “really flat” part of St. George.
“I was just talking to one of the city’s head engineers and he was explaining that it is a flat part of the city,” Mitchell said. “They are always developing down here and so right now, they have a 30-inch pipe.
“They’re going to evaluate whether that pipe has enough inlets to let more enough water in. If it doesn’t, they’re going to work on that. But for now, we’ve got Bryce Christiansen (Construction) out here helping sweep up the roads.”
The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 5:15 p.m., followed by a flood warning at 5:26 p.m. The warning included wind gusts of up to 60 mph, accompanied by rain and possibly quarter-size hail. Damage to vehicles was expected, as well as to roofs, siding and trees. The NWS confirmed a 53 mphs gust at St. George Regional Airport.
Mandy Randall, who lives off Washington Fields Road, posted several photos and video on the Washington County Community Watch page of the flooding at her home, saying, “All of the water … has to go through our backyard.”
Reports of hail were many. Kaitlynn Riddle, who lives in the Sage Canyon neighborhood at the end of River Road, recorded video of the large hail stones and wind.
Washington City Police also reported flooded streets in the area of 400 W and Merrill Boulevard.
Meanwhile, Crimson Ridge Park turned into a temporary swimming hole as dozens of youngsters took advantage of the accumulated muddy water and decided to wade, swim and boat. (See video below, submitted by Jenny Bigelow)
“Some parts of the city got more rain and some parts got zero rain,” Mitchell said. “And this just happens to be a part of the city that received a bunch of rain in a short amount of time. It’s really flat. And that’s what happens.”
Updated 8:15 p.m. Aug. 22: Adds hail photo to gallery and comments from Cameron Cutler.
Updated 8:27 p.m. Aug. 22: Adds hail video from Kaitlynn Riddle.
Updated 8:55 p.m. Aug. 22: Adds video of swimmers in flood waters, comments from Tiffany Mitchell.
St. George News reporter Mori Kessler contributed to this report.
Photo Gallery
Crimson Ridge Park served as a post-storm swimming hole Monday, Aug. 22, 2022 | Extracted photo from video courtesy of Jenny Bigelow, St. George News Flood waters on 20 East on Monday afternoon, Aug. 22, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Desireee Avery Flood waters on 20 East on Monday afternoon, Aug. 22, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Desireee Avery Standing water closed the road near Horseman Park and Little Valley Elementary School on Monday eveing, Aug. 22, 2022 | Photo courtesy of St. George Police Department, St. George News Floodwaters behind Washington resident Mandy Randall's property near Washington Fields, Aug. 22, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Misty Randall, St. George News. Hail strikes the ground and a vehicle during the Monday afternoon storm, Aug. 22, 2022 | Photo by Eric Goold, St. George News Standing water closed the road near Horseman Park and Little Valley Elementary School on Monday eveing, Aug. 22, 2022 | Photo courtesy of St. George Police Department, St. George News Residents stand in floodwaters near Washington Fields and Long Ridge Drive on Monday evening after a storm dumped rain and hail in the area, Aug.l 22, 2022 | Photo by Eric Goold, St. George News Floodwaters near Washington Fields and Long Ridge Drive on Monday evening after a storm dumped rain and hail in the area, Aug. 22, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News Flooded area near Washington Fields as a result of Monday's storm, Aug. 22, 2022 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News Washington City Fire Department responded to flooded flooded Merrill Boulevard on Monday evening, Aug. 22, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News Misty Dahl, who lives in the Washington Fields area, saved hail stones from Monday's storm and used a quarter to compare the size, Aug. 22, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Misty Dahl, St. George News Kory Leverington captured an image of the oncoming strom late Monday afternoon, Aug. 22, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Kory Leverington, St. George News Crimson Ridge Park served as a post-storm swimming hole Monday, Aug. 22, 2022 | Extracted photo from video courtesy of Jenny Bigelow, St. George News
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