From Deseret News archives:
Wells struggles in the aftermath of quake
"Oh, I hate it when that happens," said Wells City Clerk Sue Smith as she walked through the building. An hour later another one, stronger than the last, rattled the building again. And yet another an hour later.
Friday was being called by first responders as a day for the city's 1,800 residents to recover and assess the damages following Thursday's 6.0 magnitude earthquake here.
Rod Mothershed and Don Ray were parked at the Wells Elementary School with 10,000 gallons of potable water they brought from Elko after federal officials called them with news that 3,000 gallons per minute was leaking from several breaks in main drinking water lines.
But federal Division of Emergency Management spokesman Kim Toulouse said drinking water supplies to residents had been restored and that only four businesses Friday morning on the west side of town remained under a boil order.
"We're doing a real quick assessment," he told reporters. A preliminary damage assessment was expected by Friday afternoon.
It cold take up to 48 hours to get the needed damage information to the state's governor, who then forwards a report that eventually could reach President George Bush for his approval to release federal monies. Toulouse said there may be public and individual federal assistance available, along with federal grants of up to $28,000 to help people recover and repair.
As for personal property losses inside homes, which was widespread in Wells, people are on their own.
California-based AAA Insurance catastrophe supervisor Neal Bonrud set up a desk Friday inside Wells Elementary School to help a few AAA clients in Wells and to answer questions of others. Most people in general, he said, don't have extra earthquake insurance, which without it homeowners would be on their own to cover repairs to any structural damages.
Recent comments
Of the previous four comments, how about a little more sympathy and a...
Come on. . . | Feb. 22, 2008 at 4:32 p.m.
I'm just waiting for Al Gore to claim the quake was caused by global...
veedub | Feb. 22, 2008 at 1:57 p.m.
I have a brick house, that doesn't have a wood frame behind it. I...
I wish | Feb. 22, 2008 at 1:10 p.m.
- Zoo offers prizes for 1Mth visitor 3:02 p.m.
- Texas' McCoy a winner like no other 3:00 p.m.
- Senate confronts abortion in debate 2:51 p.m.
- Early stock gains evaporate 2:49 p.m.
- Online channel Vevo signs EMI Music 2:49 p.m.
- Pearl Harbor attack remembered 2:45 p.m.
- Al Pacino set to play Shylock 2:44 p.m.
- Weezer cancels tour after bus crash 2:44 p.m.
- Transgender teen sues McDonald's 2:33 p.m.
- Boozer Western Conf. player of week 2:30 p.m.
- Cougars going back to Vegas
- BYU and Utah's bowl games
- TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
- BYU professor remembered
- Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
- Bring the true spirit of Christmas
- Utes excited to go to San Diego
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
- Answers for the BCS
- Dr.: Mitchell controlled FBI interview
- Letters: Liberal because LDS
269 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
249 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
191 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
190 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
135 - Cougars going back to Vegas
133 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
117 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
103 - Letters: Global warming a lie
100
Amazon.com, Target.com, Sears.com, Walmart.com, Kmart.com and...
That does it — I'm having an affair! Thanks to Tiger Woods, David...
First, a big thank you to all who posted questions here for me to ask...
temperatures suggested near 1998 disease satellite
release partially reductions allowed 180 projections system high
Nope, I didn't know that. I'm not a big fan. The fact that he won an...
needs to come back and clean out the poli sci department again.
Stop Grazing our lands-Livestock owners who graze public lands own a permit...
To Gormondem 12:21: Try showing a little curiosity. Do some research on...
About time Booz, just reminds me of the days you played for Duke All-American...
When did Utah start using the Miami sign?
dear cougar boosters: you should know (learn) that you can't build yourself...
I think the professors need to get out from behind their desks and get in the...


