On April 3, 2009, a mudslide burst through a beaver dam on Whidbey Island near Clinton, in Washington State. The slide, made worse by continuing rainstorms and containing large trees, struck and damaged at least eight waterfront homes and destroyed a part of the road. The residents had been evacuated the night before and no one was injured.Seattle: Post-Intelligencer: Mudslide hits 8 waterfront homes on Whidbey Island (April 3, 2009) Komo News.com: Wall of mud' damages homes on Whidbey (April 3, 2009)
Beaver Dam Mudslide
On April 2, 2009, crews discovered the large dam had impounded a 20 acre pond above the homes. Crews attempted to pump out the water as a steady rain fell, because the culvert was too small to handle the flow. About 7:00 am, strange noises started coming from the dam; the crews had to pull out their equipment and run. The dam collapsed behind them and the wall of water came down the hill.Seattle: Post-Intelligencer: Mudslide hits 8 waterfront homes on Whidbey Island (April 3, 2009) Komo News.com: Wall of mud' damages homes on Whidbey (April 3, 2009)
References
Fast Facts
-
Fact:
A large beaver dam was discovered above the homes on April 2, 2009, blocking a culvert and creating a 20 acre pondKomo News.com: Wall of mud' damages homes on Whidbey (April 3, 2009)
-
Fact:
A crew worked all night but could not empty the pond adequately to defuse the slideKomo News.com: Wall of mud' damages homes on Whidbey (April 3, 2009)
-
Mudslide began about 7
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
-
Fact:
