Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Having grown up and lived in small towns most of my life, you would think I wouldn’t be surprised by the huge outpouring of support that was shown this past week during the 2017 ice jam flood.

Saturday morning when I arrived at the fairgrounds the Worland Fire Department was getting the sandbagging operation ready and a few volunteers had already shown up. As word spread the more volunteers were needed people continued to arrive. Families trying to protect their homes, families that were evacuated, organizations, and people young and old came to help sandbag. And not just from Worland but from the surrounding communities. When disaster strikes, we are all one community.

On Sunday, the number of volunteers grew and it was an overwhelming scene to drive into the fairgrounds and see the huge group of people and how the sandbagging operation had grown from early Saturday morning.

But it wasn’t just at the fairgrounds, people assisted in placing the sandbags, and there were numerous stories around the city of residents helping fill sandbags for neighbors at their homes.

People were reaching out asking how else they could help, ready to donate to the Red Cross. Food was donated for the evacuees and there were many donations of food for the volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the weekend and the week.

I had the pleasure of seeing many blessings bestowed upon people and I was able to meet some wonderful residents, residents like Andy Vigil and Lute Leyva, who, despite having been evacuated from their homes and seeing water and ice pile up around their homes, kept their sense of humor.

They enjoyed reminiscing about the 1949 flood and telling me what Worland was like then.

I got to meet Charlotte Hardy, the Red Cross shelter manager from Powell. I got to visit with her about the different places she has volunteered and we talked about Wyoming and why people don’t use the shelters – because in Wyoming we lend a hand and help our neighbor.

The number of people and organizations who helped are too numerous to mention by name, for fear of leaving someone out. When someone was called upon to help haul dirt, or donate pallets, or move sandbags, or provide food, provide trucks or skidsteers or anything else, there was no hesitation.

Worland Mayor Jim Gill said earlier this week, “The buttons are popping off my shirt I’m so proud” of everyone who worked on the flood from the Worland Fire Department to the city crew, Homeland Security and the National Guard and the community who came in droves to help out.

That’s why we live in Wyoming. That’s why we live in a small community. When our neighbor is in need we lend a helping hand. We don’t expect anything in return, we help because we can.

But the helping is not over. There are two homes deemed inaccessible by Red Cross. Many families will be cleaning and repairing their homes and their yards.

And, the flood concerns are not over this year with the spring runoff still to come. Let’s be vigilant. Let’s be safe and know that if something does happen, the community will be there to help as they were last week.

** ** **

On another note, I was saddened to hear about the closing of Worland Ford. This comes on the heels of Cross Feed closing and last year Worland saw the closure of True Value, Hedge Music and the Cow Camp.

This means a loss to our economy and loss of jobs in the area but hopefully others will find Worland a great place to invest. The show of community support and pride during last week’s flood should show people this is a great place to live and work.