Presented at 2017 Wyoming Rural Water Fall Training Expo Afton, WY Krista Johnston, P.E.

What is WYOWARN? A network of Wyoming water and wastewater utilities that cooperatively prepare for the next natural or man-made disaster by bridging political and jurisdictional boundaries through a common, statewide mutual aid and assistance agreement. The common, statewide mutual aid and assistance agreement establishes protocols and responsibilities so that personnel, equipment and supplies may be readily shared.

What kind of events do we face in Wyoming? Kaycee Flood, Lusk Flood, Wright tornado, Training Derailment Wind River Canyon

WYOWARN offers Utilities Common, statewide mutual aid and assistance agreement. Emergency access to Wyoming utility operators familiar with Wyoming water quality rules and regulations and prepared for Wyoming’s climate. A mutual aid and assistance program consistent with other statewide programs and consistent with the National Incident Management System. Resources to respond and recover quickly from natural and man-made events. A forum for developing and maintaining emergency contacts and relationships.

WYOWARN Regions Regions match Wyoming OHS Regional Emergency Response Team Regions

Activates through “utility to utility” contact via a phone call or email The Steering Committee is comprised of member utility representatives Receives support from Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems Represented at the State Emergency Operations Center through WY Dept of Homeland Security

Massive Disaster(s) Lusk, Wyoming Town of Lusk in Niobrara County (Population 1500) June 3 & 4, 2015 began raining very hard with hail from 9PM to 1 AM. A strong thunderstorm stalled over the area. Niobrara River flows through town 15 inches of average rainfall per year……1/3 of annual precipitation in 4 hours US Highway 85, 18 and 20 intersect in the area No immediate injuries and 12 people were displaced Isolated from all 4 directions Most recent example of what mother nature can do.

RESPONDERS INVOLVED IMMEDIATELY 29 Homes were Damaged Responders: Red Cross National Guard Wyoming Highway Patrol Homeland Security Local Residents Lusk had no water after event-storage tanks were dry. Some waterlines were washed away, power substation washed away, lost SCADA system. Wastewater: one lift station under 12’ of water, manhole covers blown off and collection system full of debris. Cheyenne responded with two vactor crews Casper was ready with three vactor crews Lander was ready with one vactor crew

Summary: Action Taken: Result: WYOWARN Requests for assistance Minor equipment failure poses major threat to community Baggs, WY Dixon, WY Northern Arapahoe Tribal Utility La Barge Summary: Flooding in the Little Snake River threatened to flood the water treatment plant. Action Taken: WYOWARN placed on alert status. Result: Local response, state resources and Chris Seilaff monitored water levels. Flooding crested before Baggs needed additional resources. (Michelle Christopher from Dixon assisted as a neighbor.) More formal WYOWARN activations:

WYOWARN Requests for assistance Summary: Accidental hydrocarbon release into sewer system. Action Taken: Request for assistance sent asking for jet trucks to assist in cleaning sewer lines to prevent hydrocarbons from reaching and damaging lagoon. Result: Josh Meyers, WYOWARN advisor and Midwest Assistance Program Field Representative, responded and offered technical assistance. La Barge utility staff and Town leadership were able to clean lines with limited neighbor assistance. Baggs, WY Dixon, WY Northern Arapahoe Tribal Utility La Barge

Aide comes from many places- Neighbors Helping Neighbors Gillette, Wyoming 2005 (Wright, WY-Tornado) Three operators for three days to repair thermal risers in Cottonwood Trailer park 2010 (Sundance, WY) One operator with truck and equipment to help locate a potential leak 2011 (Upton, WY) Historically Wyomingites have also helped each other. Some examples from ONE town are:

Membership Summary All Wyoming WYOWARN Percent Number Population   WYOWARN Percent Number Population Unincorporated 121,000 6 37,300 31% Cities 19 294,800 9 191,942 65% Towns 80 69,100 17 12,700 18% values from US Census estimated 2014 population, rounded to nearest 100's