WEST VALLEY, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Imagine waking up to a flooded basement only to learn two possible groups responsible are pointing their fingers at each other.
It's a reality for an elderly Utah woman. She wants help and is turning to ABC 4 to take action. Her home flooded because of the tall weeds at a Rocky Mountain Power substation at 5200 West 4100 South.
The Power Company doesn't maintain the land even after several friendly requests from the City, according to West Valley City Councilman Corey Rushton. One day the City decided to take matters into its own hands and cut the weeds on the Company's property.
A heavy rain took the weeds a few blocks south where they plugged drains and flooded Verda Bennett's basement. "I about died. I just couldn't believe it. I says how in the devil did that water get in here?" said Verda Bennett. She is outraged.
Her basement filled with water almost three weeks ago after the run off drain near her home clogged and overflowed. It's clearly not Verda's fault yet no one has come forward to clean up the mess.
A living room along with two other bedrooms used to have carpet. "It was pretty much squishy," said Verda's son Allen Bennett.
Her son's Allen and Jay removed the carpet because no else would help the 85-year-old woman and the price tag for all the damage is more than $13,000.
So who is responsible? The drain sits on Rocky Mountain Power property, but it's a West Valley City drain. City Councilman Corey Rushton points the finger at Rocky Mountain Power. He took ABC 4's Noah Bond on a tour near the drain on Rocky Mountain Power's property. "The problem is that as you look around it's unmaintained and unkempt and you know if this was any other residential or business or industry they would be cited and compelled to maintain with landscaping," said West Valley City Councilman Corey Rushton.
The Power Company points the finger at West Valley. The Company did not want to talk about any of this on camera, but off camera they told me the the drain near Verda's home clogged only after the City mowed the weeds.
Rocky Mountain Power says it won't pay and while everyone points their fingers at someone else Verda's basement sits destroyed.
"This poor woman. Her property should be taken care of immediatly," said Brinton & January Attorney Robert Brinton.
We took this story to Harvard educated attorney Robert L. Brinton. He says it will probably take a judge to determine whose at fault, but he has a prediction.
"There's a good chance that West Valley City is responsible for maintaining that ditch," said Brinton.
Until a formal decision is made Verda is still waiting for someone; anyone, to step forward and fix the water damage caused by someone else.
She called her insurance agent at Allstate for help, but her policy does not cover damage from a backed up drain no matter whose at fault.
Either West Valley City or Rocky Mountain Power is going to have to pay. ABC 4 will continue to make calls until someone helps 85-year-old Verda Bennett.
