Governor Mead to Visit Mudslide

Wyoming Governor Matt Mead has announced plans to be in Lincoln and Teton Counties on Monday to see the mudslide blocking US Highway 89 and assess the situation.  Mead says so far WYDOT and the local officials have done well at responding to the slide, but he says he recognizes the impact tit has on people in Lincoln and Teton Counties and what it can mean for tourism in the whole state. Says Mead, “it is imperative to get this road open as soon as it is safe to do so.”  Already, the Wyoming Office of Tourism Director Diane Shober says her office is working with welcome centers and chambers of commerce to let travelers know that all communities in Wyoming are accessible, and tourism staff is helping to assist travelers with trip planning.  Governor Mead says while he does have the ability to call up the National Guard if requested by local officials, right now the need is not for more equipment or manpower; it is about the slide stabilizing so it is safe and effective for WYDOT and local contractors to haul the dirt and debris away. The governor assures the state is aware of all of the commuters who rely on this route to get between their jobs and families and he assures that equipment will be working 24-7 when the landslide stabilizes. In Mead’s words, “this is a tense time for our entire state, with the possibility of flooding in every corner of Wyoming, but our National Guard and our Office of Homeland Security are ready to respond when called upon.”