Landslide Forces An Evacuation In Jackson, Wyoming, USA

A landslide on Budge Drive in Jackson has shuttered businesses while an evacuation order has been issued for all residents of the street and Walgreens apartments. Of the approximately 60 residents in the neighborhood, Jackson Assistant Town Manager Roxanne Robinson says three have decided to stay.

Residents began receiving the Evacuation Order at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, with orders to evacuate by 10:00 p.m. due to imminent public safety concerns.  Residents were advised that once they had exited Budge Drive, they would not be allowed back to their residence.

She said the city was first alerted to the problem on April 6 when the movement caused the city’s pumphouse on Budge Drive and West Broadway Avenue to move, which in turn, broke the water main. Over the last 36 hours, though, the slide has accelerated.

There has not been any catastrophic release so far, but geologists continue to monitor the area.

Robinson said if more rains come, the hill will continue moving, and it might stabilize if the weather dries out. However, they cannot make any predictions.

Of those that evacuated, 48 have registered with the Red Cross, yet 12 residential units could not be reached. Likely, said Robinson, they evacuated and are with relations.

Evacuees were asked to register at the Red Cross Trailer located in the Powderhorn Parking Lot so that notification could be provided to them once the evacuation order was lifted. 

Most of the damage has been seen in slight buckling of roadways and cracked driveways, however, one house at the top of Budge Drive has seen significant damage.

“Public safety is our number one priority and taking this action now instead of waiting is the best approach,” Rich Ochs, Teton County, Wyo., Emergency Management Coordinator.