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Monsoon pounds Benson
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| Helping hand: Benson Fire Department's swift water rescue team was called into action Tuesday, Aug. 24, to assist Robert Gould, whose car was swept away by running water on S. Prickly Pear Avenue. (Chris Dabovich/Photo.) |
Emergency responders kept hopping as downpour, wind gusts wreak havoc
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
A monsoon storm last week turned into a nightmare for public safety officials in Benson, as a swift water rescue, multiple car accidents, downed power lines and uprooted trees and signs required assistance throughout town.
The most serious call came after 4 p.m. when Benson Fire Chief Keith Spangler said they were alerted of a motorist out of his car in swift water on Prickly Pear.
Spangler said the motorist allegedly came up to a wash running about two feet high and decided to drive across. He lost control of his vehicle and was swept downstream.
"He was washed down to a cement wall, where he managed to get out of the car. He lost his balance and dropped down a 10- to 15-foot bank," Spangler said. "With water sweeping over him, and the car above unsteady, we had to get a team together."
The swift-water team, consisting of volunteer firefighters Audie Holbert, Jimmy Tucker and Robert Austin, crossed the wash and climbed down to the stranded motorist.
After putting a helmet and lifejacket on the motorist, the rescuers pulled him to safety with minimal injuries.
Benson Police Chief Paul Moncada said the incident remains under investigation, but alcohol is suspected, and charges are pending.
As the storm continued, Spangler said they got assistance from the Mescal-J6 Fire District and Pomerene Volunteer Fire Department, as they received eight separate calls for accidents, trees down and other emergencies.
"We had accidents, downed power lines and several calls about trees on houses," Spangler said. "We also had to respond to one report of a fire on State Route 80, where lightning struck."
Chief Moncada said there were few injuries in the storm, but there was plenty of damage reported throughout the city.
City crews worked all last week to clear away the damage on public property, including trees down at the pool, at the park and along city streets.
Troy Jones, of Jones Wilson Insurance, said plenty of private property also got hit in the storm that not only brought rain, but also had heavy winds.
By noon on Wednesday, Aug. 25, the day after the storm, Jones estimated he had 40 claims filed.
"Thankfully there was nothing really severe," he said. "The majority of the calls were wind related. A lot of roof damage to homes and a few businesses was reported."
Jones said this storm is similar to a hailstorm that caused a lot of damage to the city in 1997.
The City of Benson is one of those who will be filing a claim.
City Manager Glenn Nichols said lightning struck two motors at the wastewater treatment facility, causing $10,000 in damage.
The plant is on backup motors until repairs can be made.
Nichols said they will also be paying a lot in overtime as crews worked late into the night clearing trees and debris from the road.
With more than 60 mile-per-hour winds, Nichols said the exact cost at this point is unknown, but more than 80 signs were damaged, requiring the city to order new metal posts for all of them.
Local businesses were also impacted. Roof damage was apparent the following day, and shoppers were trapped inside Wal-Mart while power was down during the storm.
Shoppers were kept at the front of the store until power was restored.
Wayne Crane, of Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Coop (SSVEC), said the outage at Wal-Mart was caused by a breaker being hit at the Cottonwood Substation, impacting 95 customers, including the store.
With damage at the Benson substation, it is estimated that 771 customers were without power for three hours.
The Turquoise Hills golf course also had extensive damage with fallen trees and damage to the buildings.
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
A monsoon storm last week turned into a nightmare for public safety officials in Benson, as a swift water rescue, multiple car accidents, downed power lines and uprooted trees and signs required assistance throughout town.
The most serious call came after 4 p.m. when Benson Fire Chief Keith Spangler said they were alerted of a motorist out of his car in swift water on Prickly Pear.
Spangler said the motorist allegedly came up to a wash running about two feet high and decided to drive across. He lost control of his vehicle and was swept downstream.
"He was washed down to a cement wall, where he managed to get out of the car. He lost his balance and dropped down a 10- to 15-foot bank," Spangler said. "With water sweeping over him, and the car above unsteady, we had to get a team together."
The swift-water team, consisting of volunteer firefighters Audie Holbert, Jimmy Tucker and Robert Austin, crossed the wash and climbed down to the stranded motorist.
After putting a helmet and lifejacket on the motorist, the rescuers pulled him to safety with minimal injuries.
Benson Police Chief Paul Moncada said the incident remains under investigation, but alcohol is suspected, and charges are pending.
As the storm continued, Spangler said they got assistance from the Mescal-J6 Fire District and Pomerene Volunteer Fire Department, as they received eight separate calls for accidents, trees down and other emergencies.
"We had accidents, downed power lines and several calls about trees on houses," Spangler said. "We also had to respond to one report of a fire on State Route 80, where lightning struck."
Chief Moncada said there were few injuries in the storm, but there was plenty of damage reported throughout the city.
City crews worked all last week to clear away the damage on public property, including trees down at the pool, at the park and along city streets.
Troy Jones, of Jones Wilson Insurance, said plenty of private property also got hit in the storm that not only brought rain, but also had heavy winds.
By noon on Wednesday, Aug. 25, the day after the storm, Jones estimated he had 40 claims filed.
"Thankfully there was nothing really severe," he said. "The majority of the calls were wind related. A lot of roof damage to homes and a few businesses was reported."
Jones said this storm is similar to a hailstorm that caused a lot of damage to the city in 1997.
The City of Benson is one of those who will be filing a claim.
City Manager Glenn Nichols said lightning struck two motors at the wastewater treatment facility, causing $10,000 in damage.
The plant is on backup motors until repairs can be made.
Nichols said they will also be paying a lot in overtime as crews worked late into the night clearing trees and debris from the road.
With more than 60 mile-per-hour winds, Nichols said the exact cost at this point is unknown, but more than 80 signs were damaged, requiring the city to order new metal posts for all of them.
Local businesses were also impacted. Roof damage was apparent the following day, and shoppers were trapped inside Wal-Mart while power was down during the storm.
Shoppers were kept at the front of the store until power was restored.
Wayne Crane, of Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Coop (SSVEC), said the outage at Wal-Mart was caused by a breaker being hit at the Cottonwood Substation, impacting 95 customers, including the store.
With damage at the Benson substation, it is estimated that 771 customers were without power for three hours.
The Turquoise Hills golf course also had extensive damage with fallen trees and damage to the buildings.
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