Saturated Soil Poses Flooding Problems

Amanda Butterfield reporting Storms, rain, and runoff are causing problems throughout the state. We know people near rivers or on hillsides are at high risk for flooding or mudslides. But the soil is saturated everywhere.

Basements are flooding across the state in areas that may surprise you. Draper is one of the areas where residents are seeing problems.

The problems with natural disasters are NOT limited to river and hill side residents. The south end of Draper city isn't a flooded area, but it's an area that's just as much of a safety concern for city officials.

City crews were busy here last night trying to move a storm drain. Water started spurting out from the road yesterday, causing the asphault to collapse. The sinkhole it created is reportedly 100 feet long.

Several homes in other communities in Salt Lake and Utah Counties are experiencing problems with flooding. Crews in Taylorsville have been working long hours... trying to keep water away from homes.

Authorities and homeowners are sandbagging, vaccuming, and mopping up their basements. County officials told Taylorsville residents excess runoff from the spring rain is gushing towards the south.

Laurie Blanchard/ Taylorsville Resident: "The basement is 2,600 square feet and it filled up quickly."

Craig Armstrong/ Taylorsville Resident: "I estimated over a thousand gallons of water."

Eagle Mountain

Heavy rain flooded parts of Eagle Mountain, in Utah County. The Deseret Morning News is reporting three roads in the community were flooded.

Lake Mountain Road, the Ranches Parkway, and Sweetwater Road all had problems due to overflowing detention basins and clogged culverts. City officials say they were able to pump most of the water out to avoid any serious damage.

Cedar Hills

People are nervously watching their backyards in Cedar Hills, this morning.

Two weeks ago the earth slid into the back of several homes in the Falcon Ridge subdivision, forcing evacuations.

The slide had been relatively stable over the last ten days, but this week's almost non-stop rain moved the mudslide nearly two feet.

The four townhouses in the direct path of the slide have notices posted outside, keeping everyone out. Neighbors across the street are on high alert.

Niklas Johnsson/ Cedar Hills resident: "We actually evacuated, moved back in and now more rain is coming down. So we think it's a good idea to get out of here right now."

Surveyors are checking the movement of the slide at least twice daily.

Garland

Several homes in Garland look more like islands this morning. Houses are surrounded by water and a dozen basements have been flooded.

Many homes have been flooded off and of for a month now.

Diane Morgan/ Garland Resident: "We just let it fill up and wait, then keep pumping it down. Pump it out and then try to pump it out of our yard across the road. Crazy, huh?"

The problems are caused by the runoff-packed Malad River combined with our recent heavy rain.

The Garland area has another problem-- sewage overflow. All this rain has once again overwhelmed the sewer system. To prevent backup into homes, the city is releasing raw sewage into the Malad River.

As far as flooding goes, experts say this is probably just the beginning of what's to come. Utah Disaster Kleenup says it's been slammed with calls from people asking for help cleaning out property.

Other people, whom you may not think of, are experiencing the water woes as well. Home improvement stores say several property owners are either repairing damage or preparing their homes for possible flooding.

People are buying sandbags, shop vacs, tarps, and down spouts.

Reporter: "Have you had to order more of anything?"

T.J. Lindsey/ Home Depot: "Almost everything. Especially sandbags. We had to place a huge order today because we are almost out of them."