WILDER, Idaho — Saturday's storms hit one of the most sacred places in one Treasure Valley town, leaving behind extensive damage. Larry Cooper, the Wilder Cemetery Sexton, says he was devastated.
"I take this very seriously, and I took this over two years ago, and I love my cemetery, and I love my people out here and have close relationships with them, and this hurts a lot."
He estimates 18 trees fell, and numerous headstones were damaged.
"I have cried and cried, you know I told Susan you know, I don't understand. Part of the sexton is to keep sacred remains. Whatever force is of all places. We, we passed a million olive trees, and I'm like, why not those?"
Cooper says they work to rebuild, but it will take time.
"Once we get the trees up to see how much more damage there is beyond the trees. I mean, it's extensive, but as you can see, it toppled headstones, and it's going to take us a while to get it back together so, but we'll do everything we can to come together and make it happen."
