Deadly flash flood rushes through Hi-Desert community

Kirk Rowland sent us video of floodwater rushing through the wash behind his home in Joshua Tree Tuesday.

“It was amazing. It was a wall of water about 10 feet high,” said Rowland. “The wash behind our property is about 16 feet high and it came over the top. It was crazy.”

Just a mile up the road at Sunny Vista Road and Melton Trail, a 66-year-old man driving an SUV was swept away and killed by the fast moving water around 7:15 p.m. The SUV flipped and was crushed downstream 100 yards from the road, according to the California Highway Patrol. Witnesses told police that people tried to save the man inside, but the current was too strong.

“It’s pretty sickening. Everyone’s pretty upset about it,” said Rowland.

“Being a woman, you get emotional. I thought, ‘that could’ve been me,'” said Rebecca Avery.

Avery lives here on sunny vista road where police say the driver steered off the road, passed other cars and tried to cross the wash. but it was too late.

“Never cross moving water. Even if you have an SUV or truck, I wouldn’t,” said Avery.

The flood took an emotional and physical toll on the hi-desert. where yards and dirt roads are split and clean-up is only beginning.

“We’ll be bringing in some dirt, fixing the road,” said Rowland.