Surprise ice storm creates havoc

WORLAND – A surprise ice storm Thursday evening, which caused roads to become virtual ice skating rinks along with heavy fog Friday, is responsible for a number of incidents Friday.

At 6:05 a.m. an accident near 406 West River Road was reported. The number of vehicles and number of injuries were unavailable.

At 7:19 a.m. on Wyoming Highway 433 it was reported that a semi hit a power pole. Information if there were any injuries was unavailable.

At 9:56 a.m. at 837 U.S. Highway 16 it was reported that a semi slid into a yard and into the building. No injuries were reported.

The roads in Thermopolis were bad enough to close the schools. The Hot Springs County School District No.1 posted on their Facebook page, “Due to the black ice and very hazardous road conditions present in Hot Springs County this morning, Hot Springs County Schools will be closed today.” It was added that all activities, such as the Pinnacle Bank Big Horn Basin Classic, would take place as scheduled.

While the weather outside Friday was frightful the forecast for the weekend is not so scary. The National Weather Service’s forecast states that there may still be some fog today, but the weather will be dry both today and Sunday with highs in the low to mid 30s and the lows between 10-15 degrees.