Storms prompt road, school closures

During a severe winter storm Tuesday, Feb. 14, Thermopolis Police Chief Pat Cornwell and Sheriff Jerimie Kraushaar issued a no unnecessary travel warning for the entire town and all of Hot Springs County. Later in the day, all highways into and out of Thermopolis were closed for a period of time.

On Tuesday, the law enforcement dispatch center received an overwhelming amount calls regarding vehicle wrecks, slide offs, stuck vehicles, etc., prompting an announcement that law enforcement officials would be responding to emergency calls only.

The no unnecessary travel ban was lifted from the town of Thermopoils early in the morning on Wednesday.

Hot Springs County School District did an early release on Tuesday and did not hold classes on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

A school bus slid off the road west of town while the driver was transporting students home on Tuesday. No injuries were reported.

The National Weather Service Riverton Office issued snowfall totals from the period beginning Monday, Feb. 13 at 11 p.m. through Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 9 a.m. Snow totals for Thermopolis were recorded as 7-10 inches and 5.6 inches near the Lucerne area. Washakie County totals were recorded as 6 inches near Worland and 3 inches near Winchester. Park County snow totals were recorded as 9 inches near Meeteetse and 3 inches near Cody. Fremont County snow totals were recorded as 5.5 inches near Shoshoni and 1.5-2 inches near Riverton.

This week, Thermopolis and Hot Springs County, along with many other areas of Wyoming, got hit with another storm that dropped heavy snow in many areas and included strong winds. Monday and Tuesday high temperatures were near 40 but the storm includes cold temps with Wednesday night getting down to -20, a high of around 5 on Thursday and -14 Thursday night. According to the National Weather Service, high temperatures will reach back into the mid 30s for the weekend.