Full Notification

April 12, 2014 5:45 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HILLSIDE CONTINUES TO MOVE SLOWLY

Jackson, WY.  No major changes in Budge Drive situation, hillside continues to move, alternatives being explored for alternative access and potential mitigation.

Alternate water supply for fire suppression needs were identified and improved today in the Budge Drive neighborhood. 

Information gathered from the survey points along the surface of the hill indicates continuous slow movement of the hillside.  The visible cracks in the earth, in the cut away hillside, the retaining wall, and in the pavement continue to widen and deepen.  Operation Chief Kathy Clay indicated, “We’re working to install some time lapse photography stations both across the street and near Walgreens in order to capture this slow movement so we can visually have a better understanding of the magnitude of the situation.”

The engineering and geology team noticed visible changes in these cracks and assessments indicate that there may be some likely flaking or sloughing off of portions of the cut bank along Budge Drive.  Town of Jackson officials and emergency personnel are actively pursuing easements and negotiations to obtain alternative access to this neighborhood.

Red Cross personnel trained a dozen local people today to staff the public shelter which they plan to open tomorrow evening.

The evacuation order remains in place for all residential units in the area as well as Walgreens Commercial Space, Sidewinders, Ignite, and the Wine Shoppe & Spirits.  Unified Command intends to continually review those areas under evacuation order for the possibility of downgrading any residential or commercial areas to evacuation advisory areas, but no changes are expected in the near future.

Budge Drive itself remains passable to one lane traffic with emergency personnel escort.  Homeowners continue to request access to remove items from their home and check on the security of their belongings.  On Saturday, approximately 43 people were escorted to their residences for this purpose.  Emergency personnel will continue escorted travel for residents to their home from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, April 13 for those needing access to property and possessions.  Effective Monday, April 14, escorts back to residential units under the evacuation order will be by appointment only.  These appointments can be made through the Jackson Police Department by calling 733-1430. 

In terms of services available on Sunday and Monday for affected employees, businesses, and evacuees affected by the incident, the Community Recovery Center at the Teton County Library will be staffed in the Auditorium on Sunday, April 13, from 1 pm to 5pm with services available from the Department of Family Services, Workforce Services and Red Cross and on Monday from 10 am to 4 pm with DFS and Workforce Services.  The Community Recovery Center is an available resource to any evacuee or affected employee related to this incident.  Workforce Services are available for employees seeking unemployment insurance benefits or for businesses regarding employment tax information.  Department of Family Services is an available resource to assist families with longer term housing needs. 

A few corrections from previous releases:  The Wyoming Office of Homeland Security’s mission is to provide coordination of Wyoming State agencies to support the local emergency management system in response and recovery efforts, but no other personnel were flown to Jackson for disaster assistance.  There were no landslides within the 3 Creeks subdivision.  The Town of Jackson water main that broke on Friday April 4 was a 6 inch water main.

Updates will be provided on a daily basis throughout the weekend with significant and critical information provided via Nixle alerts as well.

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