- A nonprofit launched a fundraiser for Westpointe residents after historic flooding.
- Sixteen homes had 4 feet of water in their basements, causing severe damage.
- Residents can apply for funds to cover repair costs and replace essential appliances.
SALT LAKE CITY — Days after last weekend's historic rainfall, cleanup is still very much underway in Salt Lake City's Westpointe neighborhood.
On Wednesday evening, people were throwing out their damaged, soaked belongings, and were busy in their backyards trying to clean up the mud and water still left behind.
"My carpet's drying out," Westpointe resident David Durr said. "The pads are drying out."
A street of the Westpointe neighborhood in northwest Salt Lake City was still soaked after Saturday's downpour. A drainage ditch that ran behind Sir Philip Drive overflowed.
"Sixteen homes that we know of that just had 4 feet of water in their basements," Durr said.
He said the damage to his home doesn't compare to his neighbors'.
Durr said most people in this neighborhood do not have flood insurance.
"They consider it not in the flood zone," Durr said. "Then it's three or four times the amount of your mortgage, you know, a month."
He said his neighbors need help paying for new items like furnaces, water heaters, washing machines and repair costs. He's part of a team with the Westside Coalition that's launching a flood relief fund.
"The goal of being able to help cover some of the damage and pay, you know, reimburse at least what these folks are going to have to expend to get their homes back in working order," Durr said.
Daniel Strong also lives on the west side and works with the nonprofit. He said residents will soon be able to apply for funds.
"We'll have to, you know, see how much money comes in and then distribute it out in a fair and transparent way to those people who need it," Strong said.
He is hopeful the community shows up for the west side.
"There have been a lot of money raised for damage, you know, in places east of the city, the businesses that we frequent on Main Street, etc.," Strong said. "We're hoping that we can see a similar amount of effort and focus, directed towards these, you know, west side homes that may not quite have as much of an amplification of their voices."
Durr said these homeowners are worried about this happening again.
"I love the rain, but I got nervous," he said.
The Westside Coalition said it will keep that fundraiser for a while so people have time to donate. Those interested in donating* can do so at westsideslc.org/floodrelief.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
