Teresa Stirewalt Shares Her Experience

Teresa Stirewalt was interviewed recently for the 38 Bulletin. The interviewer asked the following questions. Her answers are shared here in her own words.

Q: Where were you and what were you doing when the mudslide started?
Teresa: We were at my house with friends, having hors d’oeuvres and champagne, celebrating my birthday.

Q: Did you have any warning, or did it arrive all at once?
Teresa: It caught us completely by surprise. Even though it was raining hard, and we were already nervous, the sound started as a low rumble you could almost feel. Then huge rocks started rolling down the creek bed. Within seconds, trees and boulders jumped the channel and went through our neighbor Ian’s house while he and his friend were trying to rescue their dogs.

Q: What happened at your place as it hit nearby?
Teresa: We ran to a neighbor’s house. The flow jumped again, tearing off a deck, and then wrapped mud around our own home. Massive boulders, some the size of cars, filled a 10-foot trench we had dug out earlier. It was unreal.

Q: In the immediate aftermath, what did you do?
Teresa: Roads were blocked, so friends couldn’t leave until late that night. We were all stuck waiting. The next day we tried to dig out, but it was too wet. A fire hand crew came to help, and neighbors showed up, but the mud kept flowing back. We cleared the deck, but mostly we were just in shock.

Q: How have you been coping in the days since?
Teresa: Waiting for the insurance adjuster was awful. Once we finally got some direction, it helped. But I still feel anxious when rain is in the forecast. I pack a bag. If it pours, we leave. My partner is more pragmatic, which steadies me, but I still get freaked out.

Q: What has helped you feel grounded again?
Teresa: Having a plan. Knowing repairs are moving forward. But also realizing that living next to a runoff creek is always going to be unsettling.

Q: What has surprised you about people’s responses?
Teresa: The kindness. Strangers came to help. Our HOA stepped up fast with equipment. But some online comments were insensitive, like minimizing what happened. I think people do that because it’s scary, but it’s better to acknowledge how serious it is instead of pretending it’s nothing.

Q: Has this changed how you think about living in the mountains?
Teresa: I’ve always been nervous about heavy rain, and now I know we have to be ready to leave when storms come. We also decided our priorities can’t be things. It has to be people.

Q: What do you hope neighbors or other communities can learn from this?
Teresa: Don’t build houses in dry creek beds. Be diligent, not complacent. If you hear the rumbling, it may already be too late.

Q: If you had to sum up this experience in one thought or feeling, what would it be?
Teresa: Life is fragile. Hold people close. Things can go in a moment.

Approved by Teresa Stirewalt prior to publication.

Publisher’s Note
In her interview, Teresa spoke not only about her own experience but also with deep concern for her neighbor and his family. While her neighbor’s story is not told here, out of respect, Teresa’s words reflect the way our community holds one another in mind during difficult times. She was especially thankful that his wife and children were not home when the mudslide struck.