Update on damage and blocked roads caused by storm event on the Sioux Ranger District

On July 13th, the Sioux Ranger District of the Custer Gallatin National Forest experienced a thunderstorm event with winds exceeding 100mph, causing damage to some developed sites, power outages, as well as blocked roads and trails. Progress has been made to clear roads, but more assessment of the damage and work remains.

"We are grateful to everyone who worked this week to evaluate damage from the storm and clear roads," said Sioux District Ranger Kurt Hansen. "There is still a significant amount of debris to be cleared along the roads, and some roads are not yet passable due to downed trees. That work, and continued assessment of storm damage to developed sites, will likely continue throughout the summer. We thank the public for their understanding and will share updates as they become available."

Below is a list of the road status information that is currently available.

Carter County Roads:

Chalk Buttes: Trenk Pass Road (#3816 and #381612) is passable and open all the way to the top of the main butte. The other roads in the southwest part of the Chalk Buttes are open as well.

Ekalaka Hills: Opeechee #3101, Rimrock Carter (3104), Stagville (3813), Ridge (3812), JP Smith (3814), Hidden Springs (3814) and the roads to Ekalaka Park Campground (3813) and McNab Pond are open. 

Long Pines: Speelmon Creek (3818), Snow Creek (3117), Exie (3119), Plum Creek (33116), Lost Farm/Belltower Divide loop (3819) are all open and passable. The remaining section of Belltower Divide Road (3040), Maverick Gulch (3036) and Foster Draw (3045) in the southern Long Pines are still blocked by downed trees.  Numerous other secondary roads are likely still blocked as well.

Harding County, SD Roads:

West Short Pines: Roads #3158 and #3157 are both open. There is still debris along the roads, but they are passable.

For further information, or to obtain a firewood permit, please contact the Sioux Ranger District Office at 605-797-4432.