Mesquite experienced its second significant high water event in five years as the Virgin River overflowed its banks on Tuesday (Dec. 21) and receded back to normal levels on Thursday afternoon.
Mayor Susan Holecheck and Clark County declared a state of emergency for Mesquite during the crisis and forces were quickly mobilized to hold off the rising river. An emergency operations center was set up at Fire Station #1 where Mesquite Fire, Police and other entities coordinated efforts and shared updated information with other EOCs from southern Utah and Clark County.
There were two homes confirmed having water damage on the east side of Mesquite, two softball diamonds at Hunter Park and several holes on the Coyote Willows Golf Course were under water from Tuesday through Thursday. Assessments of the extent of the damage are ongoing.
“Due to the tireless efforts of volunteers from among residents and business owners, City staff and emergency crews, they were able to minimize the damage and assist those displaced by the high waters,” said Mayor Holecheck. “However, when something happens to one of our citizens, it happens to all of us and we band together to help each other out.”
Mayor Holecheck would like to say thank you to City staff including Bill Tanner and Public Works, Chief John Higley and the Fire Rescue crews, Chief Douglas Law and the Police Department, and Rich Bohne and the Recreation and Parks Department.
Among many services they provided, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Police and police volunteer personnel went door to door advising residents in effected areas about voluntary evacuation options and checking on the welfare of the residents.
A special thanks was offered to local construction companies and their owners and employees, including Alford, Legacy and Pride, who quickly mobilized heavy equipment from sites throughout town to assist City crews in shoring up earth berms on the east side of town at the end of East Mesquite Blvd and Old Mill Road. Advanced Construction brought lights to allow work to continue throughout the evening.
Approximately 10,000 sandbags were filled on Tuesday by volunteers and crews from the Nevada Division of Forestry. Initial sandbag crews were organized by Mesquite Stake President Theron Jensen, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they were joined by local residents and other church groups.
Hot food was provided to volunteers by the Mesquite Senior Center and the Salvation Army catina with donations from Mesquite McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Walmart, Wolf Creek Golf Course and other Mesquite establishments.
The Red Cross mobilized quickly turning Virgin Valley High School into a shelter for displaced Mesquite, Beaver Dam and Littlefield residents. Many of the displaced residents were offered hotel rooms by the Virgin River Hotel Casino and Eureka Hotel.
“We know there are countless others who we haven’t named, but you all pitched in and helped and we want you all to know of our gratitude,” said Mayor Holecheck. She also wants to thank media outlets for their assistance in getting information out to citizens.
