Emergency responders brace for the possibility of another mudslide in Maggie Valley. Officials say there is an "overwhelming possibility" for another slide to occur very soon in the Rich Cove Road area. Friday's slide displaced 44 residents and buried their neighborhood. Geologists are still trying to figure out what exactly triggered this slide.
Several retaining walls at Ghost Town failed and officials say that's where the mudslide started. We spoke with the owner of Ghost Town, Steve Shiver, on the phone Sunday afternoon. He says the retaining wall that collapsed was finished in 2007-2008. He says his engineers will be working with the state to determine what happened.
The biggest concern right now is the possibility of another major slide in this area. The weather over the next few days could cause problems and so cleanup has not begun nor has a start time for cleanup been set. Because of the dangerous conditions, no residents who live above the 600 block of Rich Cove Road have returned to their homes.
Haywood County commissioners did declare a state of emergency and are in talks with the state and federal government to pursue options for a state or federal disaster declaration. Representatives from FEMA will tour the site on Monday.
Maggie Valley Mudslide Day 3
Posted: Sunday, February 7 2010, 11:26 PM EST
