--- title: "Monstrous Tumbleweeds Are Burying Trucks and Houses in Utah" description: "A town in Utah was caught in a tumbleweed storm that enveloped entire neighborhoods, blocked roads, and swallowed cars." date: "2024-03-06" modified: "2024-03-06" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/monstrous-tumbleweeds-are-burying-trucks-and-houses-in-utah" categories: - "News" --- # Monstrous Tumbleweeds Are Burying Trucks and Houses in Utah ![]() *\Fox 13 News Utah\* We all know what a tumbleweed is, right? The funny-looking dried-up plant balls are typically seen rolling across desolate landscapes in [Western movies](), accompanied by Ennio Morricone [scores](). These aren't just movie props, of course, as southern and western states see real tumbleweeds all the time. However, I'm not sure many of us have seen tumbleweeds like this. In [Utah](), winter winds can create enormous tumbleweed storms that block roads and bury entire houses and vehicles. Over the weekend, winds from a winter storm in South Jordan, Utah blew thousands of tumbleweeds across parts of the city and through neighborhoods. It's shocking to see tumbleweeds pile so high that they completely block out the first story of [several homes]() on a single block. It's like watching a tidal wave of dusty plants pile up outside peoples' front doors. You might think they're just light, dusty plants so who cares, they'll just blow away. However, they're actually quite a problem. For starters, they hurt. Tumbleweeds are thorny, prickly things and if they blow into you, they burt. They aren't exactly *dangerous* but isn't exactly comfortable to get hit by one, either. Secondly, when hundreds or even thousands of them pile up, they're difficult to move. South Jordan city workers had to get [plow trucks]() and even [excavators]() to move all of the tumbleweeds. City officials asked residents to only use specified tumbleweed dumpsters to dispose of them. > [View this post on Instagram]() > [A post shared by L I T T L E W E D G I E S (@littlewedgies)]() When they pile up on a road, they can completely block vehicles from passing through, too. In a video posted by [littlewedgies]() on Instagram, you can see a plow truck attempt to drive through a sea of tumbleweeds and it simply disappears under a mountain of them. If other cars were to drive through such a tumbleweed blockade, they'd suffer the same fate, or worse, which could be dangerous. Not to mention they'd scratch the hell out of the cars. However, some Utah residents are turning this into a business opportunity. According to *[Fox 13 News Utah]()*, some residents are collecting the tumbleweeds and making things out of them to sell on *Etsy* and *eBay*. Someone reportedly even paid $2,000 for a tumbleweed chandelier. Who knew something as seemingly harmless as tumbleweeds could be such a big problem? *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()