Ice Could Cause Flooding in Big Horn Basin

Although the forecast for the Big Horn Basin indicates higher temperatures than what are seasonably normal, the recent cold weather has started a chain of events that could bring trouble to low-lying areas.
The National Weather Service warns that with the recent cold snap, rivers and streams have rapidly accumulated ice. Normally this process is gradual and results in little, if any, impacts. However, with such a rapid pace of ice development over the last week, the risk of localized, minor low-land flooding has increased. Even larger rivers, such as the Big Horn River and Wind River, have quickly developed ice, which often leads to flooding in lower-lying areas.
As residents of Worland and Greybull have experienced in recent years, that low-land flooding can cause significant damage. Last March, Washakie County Commissioner Terry Wolf presented information to a United States Senate committee on the cost of the flooding that has repeatedly impacted the Worland area.

The National Weather Service warns residents that until the waterways have a chance to stabilize to this newly formed ice, the threat of localized, minor low-land flooding will persist along area rivers and streams.
Residents are asked to report any flooding to local law enforcement, and have them relay the report to the National Weather Service.