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Utah homeowner credits concrete ditch for saving house from large landslide

Major flooding, roads washed away and landslides were just a few of the problems Utah homeowners and drivers dealt over the weekend – all a result of a strong storm that moved through just days before.

Homeowner David Burns was still sweeping sand off his sidewalk on Saturday afternoon, but the bigger issue was in his backyard.

Just a few feet away from the back of his property was a major landslide.

“This is too close for comfort,” Burns said. “I think the only thing that probably saved us was this right here – this concrete drainage ditch they put in several years ago.”

Burns and his family have lived in the Draper home for the last seven years.

He said flooding from Thursday’s storm was the most they’ve had to deal with. The water even started seeping through his son’s window on the bottom floor.

KUTV asked Burns if the two Draper homes that collapsed were in the back of his mind when he saw what happened.

“Especially now, (my neighbor) was calling me all night hysterical, thinking they were going to slide off the mountain. Now I see why,” Burns said.

That portion of the mountain is city property. Draper city manager David Dobbins said Friday morning they were aware of the landslide.

“We do have a report of a home where there was a significant landslide right below it, but the house is still intact,” Dobbins said.

Burns said the city came out to look at his property but gave him no answer as to how they would fix the hole.

KUTV reached out to Draper spokesperson Linda Peterson to find out if they had spoken to Burns and what could be done.

After speaking with her on the phone, she said it was late and a Saturday, and at that point could only say that if anyone has immediate concerns about the stability of their home, they should contact police or fire dispatch.

If homeowners need someone come out to their property, she said they should contact the Draper City Building Department on Monday.

“If it wasn’t for (the concrete drainage ditch), I mean, this whole thing would have come down,” he said.

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