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NORTHERN UTAH -- There will be no federal bailout for damages caused by rampaging creeks and rivers in Utah three weeks ago.
The reason? It just wasn't bad enough.
State officials have concluded that Utah's damages don't meet the federal criteria. They'll recommend the governor not even bother asking President Obama for a disaster declaration.
"In terms of federal funding under FEMA, it doesn't look like that's going to be a possibility," said Brian Hyer with the Utah Department of Public Safety.
Little Cottonwood Creek is a much tamer animal now than it was in early June. Back then, it did a lot of damage -- but by federal standards, it was not a disaster.
When a flood happens to you, however, it's always a disaster.
Lehi resident Kevin Steele had just moved in when floodwaters made their way to his home. "Just moved in so fast, I was trying to move whatever I could up," he said. "Feels like a run of bad luck or something."
But the feds have different standards. A team of federal, state and local officials spent much of this week visiting flooding locations, estimated damages to public facilities such as roads, bridges and utilities.
To qualify for federal disaster aid, the state total had to be $2.8 million. The actual damages here totaled $1.3 million.
"Utah did not meet its state threshold for federal assistance under FEMA's guidelines," Hyer.
For private property, they didn't even bother to add it up. Federal aid requires dozens of homes be destroyed. In Salt Lake County, 95 homes and businesses were damaged, but none were totaled.
"There weren't enough homes that were affected, and a number of other things that would qualify them for federal assistance," Hyer said.
One business came out smelling like a rose in the non-disaster.
When floodwaters puddled out onto State Street, a three-story building was right in the middle of it with sandbaggers fighting a losing battle with floodwater.
"We were right there on the edge, just inches from entering the first floor," said Christopher Webb of Chasebrook Company.
To the rescue: a Utah company KSL profiled several months ago called Muscle Wall. Their invention can be floated into place, filled with water and sunk.
With Chasebrook, the barrier quickly surrounded the building and eliminated the need for thousands of sandbags.
"The whole wall was built within two hours," Webb said. "If it weren't for Muscle Wall, there's no way we would have saved the building."
The inventor of Muscle Wall had been looking for opportunities to demonstrate the product. This experience will likely be in the sales pitch from now on.
Meanwhile, those who had losses will have to rely on insurance, if they have it.
E-mail: hollenhorst@ksl.com
