When the neighborhood near Wasatch Hollow flooded last week, hundreds of people worked through the night to pile sandbags, one on top of the next.
They were homeowners. Members of the nearby Latter-day Saints ward, or congregation. People who followed the news and cared enough to come out.
Their efforts saved the Salt Lake City neighborhood from a major flooding event.
And in Kaysville, after residents in a newer development were displaced when the road in front of their home crumbled, they were offered shelter the same day.
Over the weekend, the Salt Lake Fire Emergency Management Department hosted a couple of sandbag-filling events at Sugar House Park and Rosewood Park. Two days’ worth of work was done in one, thanks to the enthusiastic and numerous volunteers who came out.
The response has been heartening. We should be grateful for and proud of all those who have checked on a friend or family member, who have filled sandbags for others or who have helped in any other way.
In Utah, this is our way. In 2021, nearly 1 million Utahns — or roughly 40% of the Beehive State’s population — volunteered, the Associated Press recently reported. That’s compared to a 25% average for the rest of the country.
And yet many states — including Utah — are experiencing a decline in volunteerism. Some cite the pandemic and others cite changing social norms. Whatever the root causes, we can decide to prioritize the needs of others. We can strengthen our own communities.
Of course there are some places that are not safe for those who lack training or expertise. Sometimes we rush to get into things and we can create a bigger problem. This is a longstanding debate in wildfire-prone communities, where some choose to stay and defend their properties.
Here in Utah, Fox 13 recently reported on the tragic loss of a man who police believe was buried in an avalanche at Brighton after trying to clear snow off of the roof of a home there.
The Tribune compiled a guide to help explain what you should do before, during and after a flood to protect yourself, your home or business, your family and pets, and your belongings. Find it at sltrib.com.
Roughly 90% of our snowpack still sits up in the mountains. How quickly the weather warms will have significant implications for how the snowmelt comes down the hills, filling creeks and rivers on its way to the Great Salt Lake.
It’s likely there will be more nights like the one we experienced last week, when Wasatch Hollow flooded.
Be safe, Utah. And be ready to lend a hand.
Because there can never be enough helpers.