Rainfall Wednesday night led to a mudslide which started along the Buckley Draw Fire burn scar, ultimately causing mud to pile halfway up the side and fill the interior of the nearby LDS church building. The surrounding neighborhood, home to many Timpview students, was luckily spared while the chapel took the hit. And according to KSL, debris from the slide reached as far as State Street.

People responded to clean up early Thursday morning, helping to scoop mud and fill buckets and wheelbarrows. “The crowd cheered when they were able to unbury a car and pull it off the property,” said Malisa Whiting, a nearby resident. Many people were hoping for smaller drizzles earlier in the week, while the mountain healed from the fire, but the lightning storm seemed to have different ideas.

There were some warning signs leading up to the slide, which allowed the city to set up some concrete dividers and barricades to protect the church and allow mud to flow down the street. Although these efforts were made, the mudslide pushed and poured right through the barriers and toward the church, not letting anything get in its way.

“My first thought was: what the flippin heck just happened?” Hunter Whiting, a Timpview junior explained. “Seeing [the building] covered in mud is kind of sad because I clean that building often, and now it’s just a huge mess.” Built in 2005, this church was just lucky enough to receive this surprise for its 20th birthday.

In a social media post, meteorologist Matt Johnson said “It could’ve been [caused] from a construction site in the area.” Multiple locals confirmed that a construction company had dug up some of the foothill area, which easily turned the foothills into a mud runway (with less dramatic flair, unfortunately). “I was already frustrated with the construction. Their dirt damaging our church didn’t do anything to help that,” said Tyler Watts, another local. 

Reflecting on his memories in the church building, Tyler said how saddening it was for him to see it in that state. On the other hand, Hunter said, “The mudslide just added another memory. Me and my friends are gonna be talking about it for years!” 

Junior Eliza Pearson said, “I’m so glad so many volunteers came out. I know having the community help made a difference.” The mud inside the church was as deep as four feet, and five feet in some of the worst places. As of Thursday evening, crews and over 200 volunteers had been able to remove 960 truckloads of debris, amounting to about 13,000 tons.

The combination of the 300 acre wildfire, the foothill construction, and lightning-lit microburst… Call it what you will, but I’d say it proves that teamwork doesn’t always make the dream work. Thankfully no one was hurt, and hopefully Slate Canyon Drive and Nevada Avenue will be able to open back up soon.