By Marcus Huff
Staff Writer 

Multiple road closures isolate Washakie County

 

April 28, 2017



By Marcus Huff

Staff Writer

WORLAND — Washakie County Emergency Management Director Jeff Schweighart reports multiple road closures in the Big Horn Basin, and advises against trying to travel back roads to avoid closures on Highway 16 and the Wind River Canyon. US 16 and US 20 between Thermopolis and Shoshoni were closed Thursday night.

“With the two major accesses to the Big Horn Basin closed right now, people may be trying to find other ways in or out, and it’s really not advisable at this time,” said Schweighart.

Schweighart also noted that Big Horn River levels at Worland were at 9.93 feet Friday afternoon, with a flow rate of 6300 cubic feet per second. Flood stage is 10.5 feet. Additional rise or fluctuations in flow rates Friday afternoon and evening from rain in all drainages, south of Worland are expected.

According to the Washakie County EMS, the following road closures are in effect, as of late Friday:

—Hot Springs County Emergency Management reports HSC Road and Bridge has closed roads on Kirby Creek and Buffalo Creek roads.

—Fremont County Emergency Management and commissioners have closed Bridger Creek Pass road and the road to Nowood Pass.

—Washakie County has posted signs of closure on the Upper Nowood as normal winter conditions exist to the Fremont County line.

Schweighart noted that over-saturation of the drainages south of Worland is the main cause of the increase of moisture to the Big Horn River area, and people should be advised of cave-ins due to the wet conditions.

According to the National Weather Service in Riverton, another spring storm system is impacting the Cowboy State and will continue widespread snow and rain showers before exiting the area by Saturday morning. Snow remains largely confined east of the Divide this morning, with light showers occurring over the I-80 corridor. The heaviest snow is expected to fall this morning, before temperatures begin to moderate and precipitation starts to wane this afternoon. Eastern portions of the Bighorn Basin are above freezing this morning and are expected to remain so today. Overall, the precipitation will gradually end through the overnight hours tonight. Be prepared for slushy to snow covered and slick roads with limited visibility.

Mountains may see 10 to 24 inches and lower elevations three to six inches with locally higher amounts in the Buffalo and Casper areas.

Before travelling check Wyoming road safety at http://www.wyoroad.info or call 511.

 
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