UPDATE: Ice jam at Duck Swamp
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Overnight, the ice jam at the Worland river bridges broke loose. The ice jam has moved downstream and has lodged in the area of the Duck Swamp. Water is currently flowing on top of the ice at Devon. Officials expect the existing ice jams north of Worland to continue to break loose and lodge at various choke points along the river as the head north into Big Horn County.
Residents along the river north of Worland are urged to monitor river levels and be prepared for water levels to rise very rapidly. Sandbags are available at the Washakie County Fairgrounds, free of charge, to residents needing to protect their homes or outbuildings.
Efforts in Worland today will focus on clearing the affected streets to allow residents access back into their homes, pumping water from Riverside park back onto the west side of the berm, and assessing the situation north of Worland and providing resources as events unfold.
Two of the National Guard Rapid Assistance Teams will be headed to assist Big Horn County today. One team will remain behind in Washakie County to assist with efforts there.
Officials with the State Engineer’s Office have confirmed that the Bureau of Reclamation will not be increasing water flows out of Boysen Reservoir until it is safe to do for those downstream.
The American Red Cross Damage Assessment Team will be walking door to door in the affected area from noon to 4 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday morning. They would like to visit with homeowners and assess damage to their homes, if possible.
Homeowners who will not be at home during those hours and would like to schedule a visit can call the Red Cross at (307) 689-0886.
The Red Cross would like to have these assessments completed by noon on Wednesday, so please schedule a time to meet with them before that time.
The public is reminded to stay off the ice left behind by flood waters, and ice shelves along the river. Heed road closures and stay clear of heavy equipment while ice removal is taking place.
Officials expect to allow residents back into their homes by noon today. Information will be shared as soon as officials have deemed it safe to return home.
