County, NWS evaluate tornado damage
TEN SLEEP – Washakie County Emergency Management Director Jeff Schweighart and officials from the National Weather Service office in Riverton evaluated tornado damage to parts of Washakie County this week, in advance of a report to be issued on the event by the NWS.
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TEN SLEEP – Washakie County Emergency Management Director Jeff Schweighart and officials from the National Weather Service office in Riverton evaluated tornado damage to parts of Washakie County this week, in advance of a report to be issued on the event by the NWS.
On June 1, an F2 Class tornado, with winds reaching 120-130 miles per hour touched down in the Billy Creek Area, south of Ten Sleep, and moved east toward the Dull Knife Reservoir in eastern Washakie and western Johnson counties.
At best estimate, the touch-down damaged or destroyed 1,000 Aspen and conifer trees, although no injuries or structural damages were reported on private or state land.
“We really appreciate the cooperation of the Red Reflet Ranch,” said Schweighart, which was directly in the tornado’s path, and allowed inspectors to gauge destruction of the storm.
Schweighart noted that the report will help in keeping a record of tornadoes in Wyoming, which happen with more frequency than are often reported.
“It’s a really important for history that we record these, so that there will be a historical record,” said Schweighart.
According to the NWS, the state averages only 12 tornado touch-downs per year, with the majority, historically, in the month of June.
