Natural Hazards Map

Be Prepared For Flood

Weather Forecast

Emergency Management Home Page

Home Page

Kelly Flood

The most devastating flood in local history was one which occurred in 1927 as a result of a gigantic mud slide on the north slopes of Sheep Mountain. The Gros Ventre Slide dammed the Gros Ventre River as it emerged from Slide Lake. The mud and rock dam remained intact until 1927 when heavy rainfall caused the natural dam to fail. The subsequent flooding all but wiped out the small town of Kelly and killed six people.

Such a disaster could be caused by another natural event--in the worst case scenario, a major earthquake rupturing the Jackson Lake dam in Grand Teton National Park. Be Prepared for a flood by going through FEMA's flood information before Teton County issues a flood watch.

Photo of 1927 Gros Ventre Flood at Wilson Post Office courtesy of the Collection of Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum, Jackson, Wyoming.