In April 2023 the governor declared a state of emergency in Utah as landslides and flooding increased. For a homeowner, that declaration is a reminder that hillside runoff and high water can arrive together, and that cleanup, documentation and the claim process all need more care than an ordinary leak.
Key takeaways
- The governor declared a state of emergency in April 2023 as landslides and flooding increased across the state.
- Hillside runoff carries mud and debris that a simple leak does not, so the cleanup plan changes.
- Ground movement and water damage can appear together, and each needs its own check by a qualified person.
- Emergency conditions can limit access to a street or property, so the first steps depend on what the authorities allow.
- Photographs, a moisture log and a written scope are the documents that make a claim easier to assess.
- Insurance outcomes depend on the policy and the cause of the loss, and this guide does not predict them.
What did the April 2023 declaration respond to?
The governor declared a state of emergency in April 2023 as landslides and flooding increased. The declaration responded to conditions that affected the ground, the roads and the water running through them, and it marks a period when the public response was organized around those hazards.
A state of emergency is a formal step that gives officials more tools to respond to a hazard. It does not tell a homeowner what their own property will experience, but it signals that the state treated the conditions as an emergency that needed a formal response.
For a property owner, the practical meaning is that the same storm can produce water, mud and ground movement at once. Each of those needs a different check, and a cleanup that treats them as one problem can miss the most important damage.
Why is hillside runoff different from a normal leak?
Runoff from a slope carries mud, rock and debris, and it can push against a building with force. A leak from a pipe carries clean water, and its cleanup is mostly about drying. Hillside runoff also changes the ground, which affects the structure as well as the water.
Mud that enters a basement settles into carpet, cracks and the spaces behind trim. It stays wet long after the surface looks dry, and it has to be removed by hand as well as by pumping. The crew checks each room for it, because mud left behind holds moisture against the framing.
The ground can also move. A retaining wall that leans, a fence that shifts or a crack that widens in the yard are signs that the slope itself is changing. A crew can record those signs and recommend a review, but the decision about whether a structure is safe belongs to a qualified person.
What changes in the cleanup after a landslide or flood?
Cleanup after a landslide or flood takes longer and needs more protection than a normal water loss. Mud, debris and contamination add steps, and the safety of the site may depend on what the authorities allow.
The crew works in stages. It first confirms that the site is safe to enter, then removes the debris and mud, then extracts the water and reads the building. Drying is set up only after the mud is out, because equipment cannot dry a floor that is still buried in silt.
Protection is greater. Crews wear gloves, eye protection and suitable clothing when they handle mud or contaminated material, and they keep children and pets away from the work. Any material that stood in the mud is handled with care, and the crew records what was removed.
| Stage | What happens | Why it is done this way |
|---|---|---|
| First day | Keep out of moving water and follow official instructions | The ground and water may still be changing |
| Before entry | Confirm the power is off and check for cracks and loose mud | Hidden wiring and unstable soil can be present |
| Cleanup | Remove mud and debris, then extract the water | Silt holds moisture and blocks drains |
| Reading | Take moisture readings on walls, floors and framing | The target for each material is set from the readings |
| Drying | Set equipment after the mud is out and log each visit | Equipment cannot dry a floor that is still buried in silt |
| Claim | Keep photographs, the moisture log, the scope and a timeline | The insurer decides coverage under the policy |
What can limit access during an emergency?
Emergency conditions can close roads, block driveways and make a slope unsafe to approach. The crew follows the instructions of the authorities, and it will not enter an area they have closed, even if a property needs help.
A homeowner who cannot reach the property should keep the crew informed about the access problem. The crew can plan the first visit around the restriction, and it can start with a safe approach or a later window once the authorities allow entry.
Keep a note of when access was restricted and when it was restored. That record helps explain any delay in the claim, and it shows that the owner acted on the information available at the time.
How should a homeowner document the damage?
Document the water line, the mud, the ground around the building, any cracks and the state of each room before anything is moved. The photographs, the time stamps and a written list are the core of the record.
Photograph the outside of the building from several sides, including the slope above it and the ground beside the foundation. Take close pictures of cracks and of any mud line on the walls, and place a known object beside the mud line where that is possible, so its height can be measured later.
Write down the date and time of each step you take, including when the water arrived, when you called and when the crew came. A timeline in your own words is useful, and it should be kept with the photographs and the crew's written notes.
What do the moisture log and the written scope add to a claim?
A moisture log shows the readings for each room and material over time. A written scope shows what was agreed before the work started and why. Together they make it easier for an adjuster to see what the damage was and how it was handled.
The log should show each reading, its location and the date it was taken. A falling pattern shows that the drying is working, and a flat or rising pattern shows that a source may still be active. The adjuster will look for that pattern first.
The scope should list the rooms affected, the materials removed and the reasons for each decision. Any change to the scope should be written down and agreed before the work is carried out, so the record matches what was done.
When should a homeowner call a structural engineer?
Call a qualified structural engineer when a crack is widening, a wall is leaning or bulging, a floor slopes, or a door or window no longer closes as it did. The crew can record these signs, but it does not judge whether a structure is safe.
A crack that is new, long or growing is worth measuring with a pencil line and a date, so the change can be seen over the following days. A crack that does not change may be less urgent, but it should still be recorded and shown to the person doing the review.
The engineer will look at the foundation, the framing and the ground around the building, and will decide what is needed. The homeowner should keep the engineer's written findings with the property file, because they may be needed for repairs or for an insurance review.
How can neighbors and the community help each other?
Neighbors can share contact numbers, check on people who need help, and report hazards to the local authorities. Sharing photographs of the water line and the ground can also help everyone document the event in a consistent way.
After a hillside event, the people most at risk are often those who cannot leave easily or who are alone. A quick check on neighbors, and a shared list of who needs help, can make the difference between a manageable event and a dangerous one.
Neighbors should leave debris clearing and grading work to the authorities and to qualified people. Moving soil or cutting into a slope on your own can change the ground and put others at risk. Coordinate before any work is started near a shared drain or slope.
Where does the claim decision actually come from?
Your insurer decides what is covered, under the terms of your policy and the cause of the loss. An adjuster may visit the property, review the photographs and the logs, and ask for more information. This guide does not predict the outcome of any claim.
Ground movement and water damage can be treated differently under a policy, and the difference can matter. Ask the insurer to explain in writing how it treats each cause, and keep that explanation with the claim file.
If a claim is delayed or disputed, the documents in this guide are the basis for a response. Keep copies of everything you send and receive, and ask the insurer for the name of the person handling the claim.
What does the 2023 emergency teach about planning ahead?
The emergency shows that a home can be affected by water and ground movement in the same season. A plan that covers both the water and the slope, along with the documents and the contact numbers, is the most practical preparation.
Walk the property after heavy rain and note any new crack, any water running across the yard toward the building and any change in the slope. Keep the notes with the property file, and report anything unusual to the local authorities and to a qualified person.
Keep a short written plan with the crew's number, the insurer's number, the location of the power and water shut-offs and the names of the people who need to be contacted. A plan that is written down is easier to use when the water is already coming in.
Frequently asked questions
What did the 2023 state of emergency cover?
The governor declared a state of emergency in April 2023 as landslides and flooding increased. This guide does not list the areas, the damage or the response in detail, because the summary it rests on does not carry those details.
Can a crew enter a property during an emergency?
A crew enters only where the site is safe and where the authorities allow access. It will not enter a closed area, and it will confirm the safety of the building before anyone goes inside.
Is mud from a landslide treated the same as flood water?
Mud and debris add steps to the cleanup, and the crew treats them as contaminated where they may carry sewage or other material. The removal, the protection and the drying plan are set for the material found on site.
Will my insurance pay for damage from a landslide?
That depends on your policy and the cause of the loss. Your insurer decides what is covered, and this guide cannot say what will be paid. Ask the insurer how it treats ground movement and water separately.
Who should I call about a crack in the ground near my house?
Call a qualified engineer or a geotechnical specialist for a ground or structural question, and the local building authority if you are unsure. The restoration crew can record the crack and recommend a review, but it does not judge the structure.
Should I stay in a home that is affected by a landslide?
Follow the instructions of the local authorities. If the building is unsafe, a crack is widening or the ground is moving, leave and do not return until a qualified person has said it is safe. Keep the important documents with you when you leave.
This guide is general information for Salt Lake County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.