Salt Lake City Considers Flood Aid as UDOT Shifts Stance on Emery Street Damage

Salt Lake City is progressing toward providing additional emergency assistance for residents affected by a water main break that flooded 15 homes on Emery Street a month ago. Simultaneously, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has changed its initial response and is now involved in efforts to help families who are still unable to return to their homes.

Following the flooding, Salt Lake City has paid for ServPro crews to remove water, damaged drywall and flooring, and address potential mold inside affected homes. City departments have also removed debris and hazardous household waste from the neighborhood, with risk management representatives working with residents filing claims.

The city is now considering an emergency household stabilization fund aimed at assisting affected residents with immediate needs. During a recent Tuesday work session, Salt Lake City Council members unanimously supported moving forward with a proposal to make up to $50,000 in existing city housing funds available to affected households. This proposal requires final council action, with a public hearing scheduled for a coming Tuesday and a vote tentatively expected on October 6.

According to Salt Lake City Public Utilities spokesperson Chloe Morroni, the city is also collaborating with UDOT to develop additional assistance for residents. This involvement from UDOT represents a notable shift from its initial response to the flooding incident.

Previously, Tom Newman, an affected resident, filed claims with both Salt Lake City and UDOT. UDOT denied his claim in writing, asserting that Emery Street was not under the agency’s jurisdiction. The agency also initially told a local news outlet that the break occurred outside its work zone and appeared unrelated to its nearby construction project. Before UDOT representatives visited his home, Newman expressed skepticism, stating, “I feel like it’s lip service still. When I see action, then I’ll be happy. Actions speak louder than words.”

Later that day, UDOT representatives delivered $1,100 in gift cards to Newman and his partner, Willa Mae Graham. The assistance included $500 for Walmart, $500 for Smith’s, and $100 for pet supplies. Graham shared that she had used the family’s grocery money to rent a storage unit for belongings that had been sitting outside their damaged home. She noted, “With the money that they came through and helped with, it makes me feel good that somebody’s listening to us.” Newman and Graham have been living in a camper in their driveway since the break, with Graham’s son, Austin, sleeping in a tent beside it. UDOT representatives also discussed possible temporary housing, security fencing, and an enclosed trailer for Austin, though these options were still being evaluated.

Despite providing assistance, UDOT is not accepting responsibility for the flooding. John Gleason, UDOT Public Relations Director, stated that the agency and Salt Lake City can determine liability later, but residents should not have to wait for that process before receiving help. Gleason remarked, “This has gone on too long. We can work out who’s responsible for the flooding and the damage later. Right now, we need to put these people first.” He added that UDOT had given the go-ahead for restoration efforts to begin, but the agency has not specified a funding amount or explained how restoration costs will be divided between UDOT and Salt Lake City.

Mayor Erin Mendenhall informed council members that UDOT had offered to match city funding for temporary housing, though UDOT has not publicly committed to a specific match amount. The water main break occurred near two adjoining construction projects: a UDOT-overseen bridge project that included a new waterline beneath the Jordan River, and a Salt Lake City project in the same area. Mayor Mendenhall told council members the older main broke about 50 feet from the UDOT-funded bridge project after a new section of waterline was recharged. A third-party investigation is underway to determine if the construction work contributed to the break.

Neither agency has accepted responsibility for the flooding, and the investigation into its cause remains ongoing. While the proposed city fund, UDOT’s gift cards, and the cleanup efforts offer some relief, they do not resolve who will pay for the full repair of the damaged homes. For Willa Mae Graham, recovery will not be complete until her family can move back into their home, stating that the situation will only be fixed “when we’re back in our homes and living our lives like we were before this happened.”