By Krista Jorgensen
Though recent rain answered Utahn''s prayers, it also brought fear of future floods and disasters to homeowners in Santaquin.
After a mudslide devastated the community Sept. 12, the east bench region of Santaquin was declared a disaster area. Enormous amounts of mud cut through the neighborhood, severely damaging property and several homes.
Since the slide, Santaquin City and the U.S. Fire Service said the entire community has been working hard to prevent future disasters.
'We''ve done what receding we could possibly do,' said Kathy Joe, a representative for the U.S. Forest Service. 'But when the weather warms up, we can do more rehabilitation work.'
Santaquin City Engineer, Shawn Fulmer, said mudslide prevention plans are under way.
'We are creating diversions,' said Fulmer. 'We plan to build debris basins and ponds to divert and store the flow down of water.'
Fulmer said he feels the city can control the water but Mother Nature will have to control the mud.
Ron Carter, Santaquin City manager, is trying to help homeowners gain compensation.
'We have been working on a number of issues since the event, both in the way of clean-up and recovery to further mitigation efforts,' Carter said.
Despite his efforts, Carter said the Santaquin City disaster failed to qualify for low-interest loans from both FEMA and SBA funding.
For a defense mechanism, Santaquin authorities have urged homeowners to purchase flood or earth movement insurance for future disasters and mudslides.
'We are a resilient community,' said Carter. 'We have strong individuals and families here.'
Authorities said the slide occurred because of brush fires and heavy rains causing erosion.
Joe said there are many things that can cause mudslides.
'It depends on how hot the fire burns, how fast they go through the area and how much destruction occurs to the plant roots,' Joe said. 'If a fire of this magnitude occurs, there is nothing to hold the soil in.'
Joe said there are several areas in Utah on alert because of the drought and statewide fires.
'The area behind Springville, where the fire was in July, is the main area of focus,' Joe said. 'Panguitch and some areas just south of Cedar City could have some problems, depending on the slope of land.
'We could also have some problems on the east slope of the higher Uintah Mountains.'