High winds overturn vehicles near Ranchester as hot, dry weather continues
SHERIDAN (WNE) — High winds that swept through the Ranchester area Sunday evening overturned a tractor-trailer and a recreational vehicle, prompting two emergency responses from the Tongue River Volunteer Fire Department.
According to TRVFD Chief Jeff Barron, crews were dispatched at approximately 5:32 p.m. to assist the Wyoming Highway Patrol with a tractor-trailer that had been blown over near milepost 9 on Interstate 90 westbound. Less than an hour later, at about 6:25 p.m., firefighters responded to an overturned RV near milepost 15 on Highway 345, where the vehicle blocked most of the roadway.
No injuries were reported in either crash. Crews remained on scene to provide traffic control and ensure safety while All Valley Diesel uprighted and removed the vehicles. The Sheridan County Sheriff's Office and Wyoming Highway Patrol also assisted at the I-90 incident.
The storm also damaged several trees in Ranchester and caused a power outage that is still active as of Monday morning. Officials urged residents to use caution around fallen limbs and to report downed power lines by calling 911.
The wind event came as Sheridan County continues to experience hot, dry conditions.
Despite recent thunderstorms, precipitation remains below average, according to Billings National Weather Service Meteorologist William McKeown-Robbie.
This story was published on July 20, 2026.
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