Mudslide damages Weber County family farm, continues to sluff


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RIVERDALE — A large mudslide in Weber County came crashing down into a family's farm Sunday afternoon. Although officials don't think any homes are in danger, the hill continues to sluff.

Becky Meehan was outside with her family at about 1 p.m. when mud came crashing into her property, near 4500 South and 600 West.

"We just thought a tree was falling, and we were looking at the tree and the next thing you know you just see this mountain of mud and everything coming towards us," Meehan said.

Luckily, it stopped before reaching the barn, outbuildings and Meehan's family. They also own a Christmas tree business and are grateful the slide didn't damage any trees.

"If it would have taken the trees, that's our livelihood, our big livelihood," Meehan said.

Geologists estimate the slide is 150 feet wide and about 8 feet deep in some places, and getting bigger a little at a time. By Monday afternoon,about an acre of Meehan's farm was covered by mud and trees.

The fire department evacuated three homes on the top of the hill, but geologists determined it was safe for those residents to go back home Sunday evening.

"Last night when I dropped to my knees, I was thanking God that nobody was hurt," Meehan said.

Her biggest concern now is that the hill continues to sluff and more water seems to be coming down with it, straight for her barn and outbuildings.

"It's just uncontrollable water," Meehan said. "It was just a little stream, it felt like before, and now you can see the whole mountainside is coming down like a little river, like a little waterfall."

She said she's grateful to Weber County employees who are trying to figure out how they can help. But when it comes to Riverdale City, Meehan claims workers there haven't been as helpful.

"(The city manager) informed me that it wasn't their problem," Meehan said, "that he wasn't going to ask Riverdale City citizens to pay for this."

Now Meehan feels it's up to her and her family to figure it out on their own. "They say (God) won't give us more than we can handle, but I'm saying 'I give' right now," she said.

The city manager told KSL he's investigating a cause but believe at least one underground spring is likely to blame for the mudslide. He also said even though it's private property, he plans out resources Tuesday morning to look at the damage and see if there's anything they can do.

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Tania Mashburn

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