This scene looks all too familiar for Southern Utah! We had a severe flood situation in 2005 and last week when it rained and rained and rained my "all-knowing" daughter made the comment, "This looks just like it did in 2005 before it flooded. I think it's going to flood again!". She was right, it was like de ja vu.
The photo above is a picture of the Southgate golf bridge lodged in the middle of the swollen
Santa Clara River. This was when the river was peaking.
The photo below shows some pretty big roller rapids in the Santa Clara River.
This photo below is of the Virgin River from the Bloomington bridge. The water is very swift and there is so much of it. Because of all the recovery efforts from the 2005 flood the river banks were built up and improved and this time it held all the water. I heard on the news that there is actually more water volume in the river this time than there was last time. I am just so grateful it held.
The feeling around town this time was much more controlled and calm. The emergency agencies were prepared and instead of panic and disorder there was a sense of organization and control.
The banks of the Virgin River looking north towards the freeway from Bloomington. The water came very close to the top of the river banks and it was amazing to see so much water flowing so swiftly.
Unfortunately, a small community downstream, Beaver Dam, lost a few homes in this disaster.
It is estimated that Southern Utah saved nearly $179 MILLION in damages due all the preparations that were made after the last flood.
We are so grateful to be safe, warm and dry this holiday season.
work hard, play hard, rider harder.
