WYOMING — On Feb. 20, Governor Gordon requested statewide disaster designation for all 23 counties in Wyoming from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) after winter weather created a disaster for ranchers.

The USDA is authorized to designate counties and whole states as disaster areas to make emergency loans available to producers suffering loses in those areas.

According to Governor Gordon’s letter to the USDA, Wyoming has been facing severe winter storm conditions since Jan. 10 that have caused “extraordinary losses and increased costs” for livestock producers. The disaster designation is requested for a period of impact from Jan. 10 through March 6.

Wyoming has spent the highest percentage of time from Jan. 1 to Feb. 27 under a combination of winter storm warnings, blizzard warnings, winter weather advisories and high wind warnings out of all of the states, a total of 66.5 percent.

This graphic highlights the percentage of time from Jan I to Feb 27 each state was under one or combination of Winter Weather Advisory, Winter Storm Warning, Blizzard Warning and/or High Wind Warning. Photo: Office of Governor Mark Gordon

But it’s not over yet. In a majority of Wyoming’s northwest, including Teton County, a winter storm warning is in effect until 5 a.m. on March 11 due to the heavy snow and high winds expected.

River is a contract news reporter with a passion for wildlife, the environment, and history. She’s also a gemini, dog mom, outdoor enthusiast, and published poet.