People cross a makeshift bridge over a flooded State Street in Salt Lake City in 1983. (Photo courtesy of Raven Call)
This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.
SALT LAKE CITY — In this above picture of State Street from the 1983 floods, my apartment was a block up 100 S. to the east. I was a sophomore in college at the University of Utah. I lived in a funky little walkup on the third floor with a bed that pulled out of the wall and no shower. (It was $300 per month, so who’s complaining?)
When the 1983 floods started coming down State Street that year, I walked from my apartment to go see what was going on. I found myself in the middle of a sandbagging line that looked like the image below, but a couple of blocks south.
I remember grabbing and passing bags until my arms felt like rubber.
My parents called me from Pennsylvania.
“Are you ok? Are you anywhere near the flooding?” they asked.
I didn’t want to worry them.
“Oh, no. I’m totally safe, Mom. Not to worry.”
I did feel safe, even though the water was cold and fast… and a little scary.
That year, I worked as a waitress at the Western Sizzlin’ Steak House in West Valley. (I think there is a Chinese restaurant in that building now.) When I drove home from work every night, I got off the 600 S. exit of I-15 and drove over the temporary bridge that crossed over State Street. It was surreal to watch the water flow under my car, reminding me of driving over endless canals when I lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
I used to have a T-shirt that said: “I surfed State Street”. For the life of me, I can’t find that shirt. I thought I had kept it for sentimental reasons, but as with so many of my keepsakes, it disappeared in the 30 moves since then.
I not only remember the flooding, but I remember the aftermath. The cleanup. The smell. The businesses that never recovered. I remember standing on the bridge in that picture above, looking south at the water rushing.
This would have been a prime selfie spot, but we just looked at the water back then and committed the feeling to memory.
Amanda Dickson is the co-host of Utah’s Morning News and A Woman’s View.
