Flash Flood — Hot Springs, Wyoming

2015-05-24 · near Thermopolis, Hot Springs, Wyoming

Event narrative

Heavy rain caused flooding near the town of Thermopolis. South of Thermopolis, Buffalo Creek overflowed its banks and flooded nearby low lying areas. A mobile home community experienced flooding in East Thermopolis as small creeks and streams were inundated with water.

Wider weather episode

A slow-moving upper level low south of Wyoming sent waves of moisture northward over central and eastern Wyoming during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Measured and estimated rainfall totals ranged from two to around five inches. This resulted in flooding and flash flooding in several areas. Johnson County saw significant flooding along the tributaries and main stem of the Powder River and around Buffalo. The greatest impact was felt in Hot Springs County where heavy rains in the Wind River Canyon resulted in several mud and rock slides that closed State Highway 789 between Thermopolis and Shoshoni. The slides also damaged several sections of railroad track in the same area subsequently shutting down rail traffic. Minor flooding was also noted in Fremont County where water approached homes in low lying areas of Lyons Valley near Lander.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (43.6075, -108.2136)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 571081. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.