‘We got lucky’: Littlefield and Mesquite report 2 collisions amid wet weather, flooding

MESQUITE, Nev. — The wet weather which hit Wednesday evening in Littlefield, Arizona, and Mesquite, Nevada, caused two separate vehicle crashes and a temporary closure of Interstate 15 northbound lanes

Wet weather resulted in a vehicle sliding off the road and colliding with a street light in Mesquite, Nev., March 15, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

The storms hit the Nevada and Arizona border area off and on throughout Wednesday, fortunately resulting in fewer weather-related collisions than anticipated, Beaver Dam/Littlefield Fire Department Fire Battalion Chief Andre Ojeda said.

“We had a one-vehicle crash on Interstate 15 earlier in the day and transported another later for Mesquite, but overall we came out good,” Ojeda said.

The one-vehicle collision for Mesquite occurred just after 5:40 p.m. PST on Pioneer Boulevard and Red Hills Parkway. A vehicle hydroplaned, taking down a street light and coming to rest on the sidewalk.

According to Mesquite Police Department Public Information Officer Sgt. Wyatt Oliver, the silver Dodge Charger lost traction and the vehicle slid sideways into and through the street light, losing its tire, skidding sideways stopping on the sidewalk. The collision broke the street light pole in half and uprooted the cement base.

The power was active and had to be turned off by city utility workers, and a water landscape piping was fractured, causing water to gush out of the ground. The landscaping company reported to the scene and turned off the water.

The 61-year-old man driving was transported by Littlefield/Beaver Dam Fire and Rescue EMS to St. George Regional Hospital for mild injuries and evaluation due to his age. A family member of the driver on the scene said he will be alright. The man transported was able to walk to the stretcher with assistance.

Both driers were wearing seatbelts.

The vehicle was towed from the scene a little before 7 p.m.

The wet pavement was a factor in the incident, and as far as flooding in the area was concerned, Ojeda reported the water level of the Beaver Dam Wash and Virgin River rose but caused but no problems.

“We got lucky,” Ojeda said. “We had flooding get really close to houses but no major problems.”

Flash flooding running into the Virgin River, Bunkerville, Nev., March 15, 2023 | Photo by Nick Yamashita, St. George News

Mesquite Fire and Rescue Capt. Spencer Lewis reported similarly there were no problems with flooding other than a few backcountry roads with water running over them.

Oliver said there was some water running down Mesa Boulevard by the Eureka Casino, but no standing water.

At about 5:15 p.m., the Nevada State Patrol closed down I-15 northbound at Exit 93 by Logandale/Overton due to flooding over the freeway. But the highway reopened shortly after.

Nevada Department of Transportation Public Information Officer Justin Hopkins said the closure lasted 15-30 minutes as it was not reported for emergency operations.

Ojeda said the I-15 underpass to the Eagles Landing gas station in Littlefield was flooded and one person tried to drive through it, but Mohave County Sheriff’s deputies gave aid with no injuries.

Ojeda reminded people if floodwaters are over streets to not drive through them and to avoid being in washes during storms.

Wyatt similarly advised drivers in wet weather conditions to slow down and have good judgment.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the Virgin River by Mesquite rose to 9.3 feet by the end of Wednesday, and as of 10 a.m. Thursday, it was at 12.43 feet, which is the maximum height.

The Virgin River by Littlefield/Beaver Dam was at 11.72 feet by end of Wednesday and 14.10 feet at 10 a.m. Thursday. The max height was 16.09 fet at 6 a.m. on Thursday.

There still are active warnings of high waters and flash floods in the area due to the water runoff from Southern Utah.

At about 2:04 p.m. Thursday, flooding began in Mesquite within the Old Mill Road and Coyote Willows area. Emergency services have responded with sandbags and resources.

Video courtesy of David Giebink and Andre Ojeda.

Photo / Video Gallery

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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