CAMPBELL COUNTY, Wyo. — Eight people were injured Friday after a tornado ripped through a coal mining site in northeast Wyoming.
The mining site is the largest in the country, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Operations immediately halted and local first responders searched the open-pit site for employees and other damage, said Governor Mark Gordon in a statement Friday.
“State agencies are assisting local teams as needed and are ready to provide assistance as requested by local officials,” said Governor Gordon late Friday evening. “We are actively monitoring the situation and the responses of local teams, and stand ready to provide support as requested.”
According to the Associated Press, the tornado hit the North Antelope Rochelle Mine during a shift change around 6 p.m. which initially complicated search and rescue efforts. However, all employees were accounted for before midnight Friday. As of 11 p.m. the same day, six employees were still being treated in hospitals. No deaths were reported.
A storm system scattered this tornado and others throughout Wyoming’s Campbell, Natrona and Johnson counties.
“Earlier this evening, my office was notified of a series of severe weather outbreaks across northern and northeastern Wyoming,” said Gordon. “Local emergency response teams have responded and are currently assessing the various situations.”
Gordon encourages the public to pay attention to weather reports in their areas and be ready to take precautions. He added that the Wyoming Information Sharing Platform is a great state resource that provides up-to-date weather information.
“Our hearts go out to all those impacted by today’s extreme weather events, which serve as a reminder for how serious extreme weather can be.”
