As Hurricane Rosa downgraded to a Tropical Storm, heavy rain moved into Arizona, prompting Flash Flood Warnings and creating dangerous conditions on roadways. After receiving nearly 3.5" of rain, Hidden Valley was ready to float away. Of course, motorists were doing their thing... getting stuck in flood waters and mud, while failing to exercise common sense.
Vekol Floods Hidden Valley, Golf Course
This week’s damage caused by flash flooding in Hidden Valley, specifically through Vekol Wash, is still being determined. Flowing water blocked some roads and destroyed others. Land, homes and outbuildings were damaged. Ralston Road, Amarillo Valley Road and Louis Johnson Road all had sections washed out. InMaricopa
During my photo safaris, I came across an interesting gentleman, who is a welder, by trade. His Ford F-150 pick up ended up in the Vekol Wash at Ralston Rd. The truck was upside-down and the water was rising. To my astonishment, the "Upside-down Truck Guy" appeared and was checking out the damage to his vehicle. The truck was a total loss.
Three days later, the "Upside-down Truck Guy" was spotted in the Vekol Wash, where he recovered his missing electric welder,which was carried approximately 150 yards, downstream. Meanwhile. the Pinal County Sheriff's Office was forced to put deputies on the various local washes to babysit, because so many people insisted upon ignoring the barricades and "Road Closed" signs. And you wonder why Arizona had to pass a "Stupid Motorist Law?"
The "stupid-motorist law" is a law in the U.S. state of Arizona that states that any motorist who becomes stranded after driving around barricades to enter a flooded stretch of roadway may be charged for the cost of their rescue. The law corresponds to section 28-910 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. More
The "stupid motorist law" is not chargeable, a motorist must commit at least one other violation to get the fine. This is why only a handful of cases have actually been prosecuted even though the law went into effect about 22 years ago. 12News
