PLYMOUTH - Ellen Cook, Headliner Media Specialist, July 29, 2022
A strong gust of wind roared through the Plymouth area late Thursday night, snapping off power poles and downing lines across I-15 and blocking the 392 exit. Those falling lines caused one rollover and trapped another motorist for nearly an hour.
Trooper Troy Black with Utah Highway Patrol said the call came in just before 11 p.m., July 28, that several power poles had snapped off from east to west, affecting 20800 North, as well as the freeway.
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The falling lines "clotheslined" a vehicle driven by a female out of Idaho. The impact sent that car into a roll, spinning onto its top and out of the way of the lines. The driver suffered a head injury and was transported to Bear River Valley Hospital for treatment.
Two other cars were also struck by live lines, a Honda on I-15 and a Jeep on 20800 N. The driver of the Jeep had to remain in his vehicle until the wires were dead and removed.
The downed lines resulted in loss of power for the town of Plymouth on the east and Nucor on the west. I-15 was also closed until just after 3 a.m., Friday, July 29. Black said on the Idaho side of the border, drivers were detoured to Snowville, while on the south side, drivers were diverted through Riverside to Logan, due to the side roads being blocked. The 392 exit was opened up about 10 a.m.
Rocky Mountain Power was notified of the situation and responded with about 30 trucks, gathering help from as far away as Rexburg, Idaho, and Salt Lake City. Those crews worked through the night and are still on the scene as of Friday afternoon, replacing about 15 broken poles. Black said he was informed by RMP that it may be Sunday before all power is restored.
