Insurance Companies Won't Move Mountains for Victims of Rockslide

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Story Published: Oct 13, 2009 at 6:25 PM PDT

By Peter Bukowski

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NACHES -- Rebecca Simmons traded the sound of rumbling rock for crinkling paper as she packed up the last of her things. That may be all she takes with her because the insurance company won't cover the damage.

"I mean, I thought insurance was for catastrophes and it's a catastrophe but apparently it doesn't work that way anymore."

The folds in the road have gotten even bigger as the rocks continue to slide. That means the damage could get even worse before insurance companies can get out here.

Don Dexter can't even get into his house to get his belongings after his house was moved off its foundation. Now, falling trees threaten even more damage. The insurance company has offered no help.

"We don't cover landslides, rockslides, mudslides. So what the hell do you cover, you know? You could have a tree fall on your house and you're covered," says Dexter.

But a mountains falls down and you're not.

"It actually pissed me off. I guess yesterday they declared this state of emergency so I don't know what they're gonna do," Dexter wonders.

Simmons knows the answer to that answer is painfully simple, "Nothing. They get nothing. Maybe the windows and the food that was in the freezer."

And with the entire area still unstable, more answers may not come for quite some time.

I asked Dexter what he would do next. "Well actually just wait and see."

What Dexter doesn't expect to see is any help from the insurance companies. Slides continue to be an issue, especially as the rain and snow start to fall. And we could see more damage if the rocks continue to move.

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