Iowa officials believe hill behind Mayflower is stable

UPDATE: University of Iowa officials said today they believe the hill behind Mayflower Residence Hall is stable, after a mudslide damaged five cars in the Mayflower parking lot late last night.

Structural engineers assessed the hillside and the bluff today and the initial preliminary report is that the hill is stable, UI Spokesman Tom Moore said.

"There appears to be no concern about the stability of the hillside itself," he said.

It appears that the mudslide was the result of soil and construction debris that had been at the top of the bluff that was washed down the side of the hill into the Mayflower parking lot after heavy rain Wednesday, Moore said.

"It was something that came from the top, not an erosion of the hill," he said. "It appears that the hillside itself was not affected, that there was no collapse of the bluff, but rather it was a washing of soil and debris down the hillside."

The hillside and bluff behind Mayflower -- to the east -- is not UI property, Moore said. Mayflower is on North Dubuque Street, across from City Park.

UI officials received reports that five cars were damaged in the mudslide, which happened at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday. The damage estimates are not yet known, he said.

There are two parking lots behind Mayflower, and the mudslide was on the far eastern edge of the south lot. The mudslide was perhaps 40 feet to 50 feet away from the building, and there was never any consideration of evacuating Mayflower, Moore said.

The mud and debris were removed, and UI workers today placed HESCO barriers along the eastern edge of the parking lot to prevent any additional mud or soil that may still be washed down the hill from getting into the parking lot, Moore said.

"It's primarily a housekeeping action to keep the lot clear and clean," he said.

There are still cars in the lot, but students who live at Mayflower have been advised not to use the parking lot behind the building. They've been offered alternate parking in the Hancher Auditorium lot, Moore said.