Storm downs power lines; closes Jackson Hole Mountain Resort

UPDATE: 3:50 p.m. Jackson Hole Airport was open and operating normally Wednesday afternoon. Teton County authorities said anyone with reservations at a Teton Village-area hotel should communicate directly with their hotel. If the hotel cannot be reached, it is likely closed. The Chamber of Commerce may be able to provide information about alternative accommodations. It is available at (307) 733-3316. The county also reports that cell phone is spotty or nonexistent until power is restored. Emergency calls should be directed to 911. If voice calls fail, try texting 911. Teton Village has not been officially evacuated. However, many hotels have chosen to close. Many residents are also choosing to find other accommodations. UPDATE: 11:55 a.m. Lower Valley Energy estimates Teton Village will be out of power for 5 to 7 days. 17 steel transmission poles buckled on the Moose-Wilson Road. The exact cause for the downed transmission lines is not yet known, however, the area experienced wind gusts up to 90 miles per hour during the Tuesday storm. Spokesman Brian Tanabe said the utility’s plan is to clear snow in order to gain access to each transmission pole and then begin building temporary wooden poles. All Lower Valley Energy’s crews have been dispatched along with emergency crews from 5 neighboring utilities. He said the utility hopes to re-route power to Jackson Hole Airport Wednesday afternoon. UPDATE: 10:40 a.m. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort said Wednesday the impact of damage could affect operations at Teton Village for up to 7 days. The resort will not be operating until further notice. All events scheduled this week and weekend will be canceled, specifically including Skijoring and Special Olympics. The resort is strictly enforcing no uphill travel and is asking everyone to stay off the mountain. Refunds will be issued to all visitors, but at this time, officials said they have not identified a location to process those refunds. You can find updated information here. Teton Village Fire Department will provide emergency services to the area throughout the remainder of the incident and will be updating hotels and businesses and information comes in. The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce and Jackson Hole Central Reservation will assist with lodging and travel options for displaced guests. ORIGINAL STORY: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort was closed Wednesday morning. The resort was left without electricity after a winter storm over Teton Village Tuesday night. Teton County Emergency Management said the Jackson Hole Airport expected to open Wednesday morning. Morning commercial flights were either delayed or canceled. Passengers were encouraged to arrive at least two hours before their scheduled flights. 8 to 10 power poles were reported down on Highway 390, the Moose-Wilson Road, from about the John Dodge subdivision to Teton Village. Travelers were urged to use caution because of the downed lines. Lower Valley Energy asked all customers along the Teton Village Road/Highway 390 to limit electricity usage until further notice. The utility said reducing power strain on the grid would help Lower Valley more quickly re-route power around the downed poles and restore service. There has been no estimate on when power might be restored.