Lusk – When a spring storm hits, people in Eastern Wyoming know to expect at least two elements, strong winds and closed roads. The latest storm to impact Niobrara County was no exception. The National Weather Service began predicting the storm the week before the system hit the area. They were calling for high winds and six to twelve inches of snow. By the time the system had moved onto the radar maps it had turned into a “Cyclone Storm” in which wind patterns cause the system to swirl in a cyclone pattern resulting in massive winds, equivalent to a Category 1 Hurricane and large amounts of precipitation dropping on affected areas. The storm was predicted to impact communities from Rapid City, SD to south of Denver, CO. It did not disappoint.

In Niobrara County, emergency services crews, road crews, and residents all prepared for the storm the best way they knew how, load up on groceries, batteries, candles and non-electric heat sources; cancel non-essential community activities and then wait.

Weather began as predicted around 4 a.m. on Wednesday March 13 with rain as the previous temperatures had risen into the low 50’s. As the rain turned (predictably) to snow at 6:30 a.m. many residents, especially those with livestock began to believe that maybe this storm would dump the predicted 18”-24” of snow.

Snow and wind continued throughout the day on Wednesday resulting in early release for all schools and preschools. Many local businesses began closing early as well in anticipation of road closures. At 10:15 a.m. the Wyoming Department of Transportation closed US Highway 85 South and North and US Highway 18/20 East and West. By 7 p.m. on March 13 the Lusk Police Department in conjunction with the Emergency Management office had issued a no unnecessary travel law for the City of Lusk. Road crews were already out working to clear emergency routes and stay ahead of drifting snow within the city limits. Throughout much of the evening of March 13 city employee Cory Wilcox was running the town loader trying to keep routes to the Wyoming Women’s Center, Niobrara Community Hospital and ambulance barn open. State and county crews were also working to assist.

Rural residents of Niobrara County, particularly those with livestock concerns, also struggled to stay ahead of drifting and blowing snow. They used tractors, skid steers and four wheelers to access their livestock. Many had moved cows due to calve into yards or, when possible barns in anticipation of the storm. Those without that option did their best to distribute feed and check on their animals throughout the storm. Wednesday night brought howling winds and heavier snowfall. These conditions prevented many from being able to safely reach their animals that were still in the pasture until first light on Thursday, March 14.

 Residents of Lusk woke up Thursday to a complete travel ban within city limits. All non-emergency travel was prohibited while road crews worked to remove snow, often piled into 4’ to 6’ drifts. County Emergency Management Coordinator James Santistevan stated that precipitation totals were impossible to predict due to the drifting which left some spots of ground completely bare and other areas drifted to building roof lines. Maximum-recorded wind speeds were on Wednesday night and were well over 50 mph. Individuals that had signed up for the CodeRed Emergency Notification System received ongoing alerts regarding travel and conditions via landlines, text messages and email. The anticipated power outages, thankfully, did not come for most of the county and most phone lines stayed functional.

 Like most of the storm-affected area, Niobrara County schools, government and businesses were shut down on Thurday, March 14. The Rawhide Rural Health Clinic was closed but the hospital was able to staff and keep the emergency room open. Decker’s Market opened at noon following the shift of a complete travel ban to no unnecessary travel, as did Allbright’s True Value. County, state and city crews, as well as private contractors worked non-stop through Thursday afternoon and Friday to beginning clearing roads, parking lots and shifting the snow piles. Snow had stopped by 12 p.m. on Thursday allowing crews to complete their work even as temperatures warmed and began thawing the snow. The no unnecessary travel edict was finally lifted at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 15.

Santistevan felt that all in all, the response from our community crews and coordination of efforts between crews, residents and emergency personnel went really well. On Friday evening the state was able to open all highways with warnings for travel and those stranded travelers who had been relying on Fresh Start Convenience and vending machines were able to resume their travels.

Total damages from the storm to structures or loss of livestock are not yet available and many in the area feel grateful that this storm is over without the massive losses experienced by neighbors to the East in Nebraska from devastating storms and flooding that occurred at the same time.