High winds batter Sidney region, prompt power outages and fire response in Wyoming
High winds continue to hammer the Sidney region tonight, with gusts over 60 mph reported locally. Power outages hit Pine Bluffs, and extreme winds fueled a wildfire near Cheyenne earlier this evening.
By News Channel NebraskaSIDNEY, Neb. - Powerful winds swept across the Nebraska Panhandle and southeast Wyoming Wednesday night, producing gusts topping 60 mph in the Sidney area and contributing to power outages and wildfire concerns across the region.
Wind gusts in Sidney at 8 p.m. Wednesday reached 63 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Higher gusts were reported elsewhere, including 82 mph at Elk Mountain, Wyoming, 68 mph at Chadron State Park, 67 mph in Harrisburg, 66 mph in Kimball, Imperial and Gering, and 64 mph in Cheyenne, Dix and Bushnell.
Peak wind gusts on Wednesday included a 102 mph gust near Elk Mountain, 93 mph near Chugwater, Wyo. and wind gusts reach 72 mph near Gering. The National Weather Service confirmed a wind gust of 112 mph in Platte County in Wyoming.
The winds caused storm-related damage in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, where an emergency power outage affected the west side of town near Parson Street. Public Works and High West Energy said power could be out for up to two hours while crews worked to make repairs.
Farther west, the extreme winds fueled a fast-moving grass fire in the Winchester Hills area south of Cheyenne, prompting evacuations earlier in the evening. The Laramie County Sheriff’s Office later announced that Winchester Hills has been reopened and residents were allowed to return home.
Fire departments remained in the area to mop up hot spots, and power was restored. Terry Ranch Road remained closed between U.S. Highway 85 and Interstate 25, though U.S. 85 was open. Minor injuries were reported, and no damage assessment had been released as of Wednesday night.
Officials said every fire district in Laramie County responded to the blaze, along with the Laramie County Sheriff’s Department and Wyoming Highway Patrol.
Lingle, Veteran, Yoder, Torrington, Goshen Hole and Fort Laramie departments were on scne of a wind-driven fire north of Lingle involving a hay stack and silage pile until 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. No injuries were reported.
High wind warnings remained in effect across much of the region through Thursday, with officials urging residents to secure loose objects, use caution while traveling and stay alert for rapidly changing conditions.
Banner County schools delayed the start of classes Thursday to 10 a.m. due to the potential for high winds, blowing dust and power outages.