Wyoming · Preparedness Guide
Blizzards that strand travelers on I-80 for days, wildfires across the high plains and mountains, the world's largest active supervolcano beneath your feet, and the least populous state in the country — where help is always far away.
About this guide
Wyoming is the 10th largest state by area and the least populous in the country — about 584,000 people across 98,000 square miles. That ratio means emergency services are stretched thin and self-reliance is not optional. Winters are severe: I-80 between Cheyenne and Rawlins closes dozens of times per year, the Snowy Range and Bighorn Mountains generate extreme snowfall, and Arctic outbreaks push temperatures to -40°F or colder across the state. The state's energy-extraction economy — coal, oil, gas — has been in structural decline for a decade, creating economic vulnerability that compounds every natural disaster. And sitting directly above Yellowstone is the world's largest supervolcano, which last had a major eruption 640,000 years ago — but which remains seismically active every day.
Local self-reliance starts with knowing your place.
Quick facts
Top hazards: Blizzards & Winter Storms, Wildfires, Extreme Cold
WY has not expanded Medicaid — eligibility is more limited for adults without dependents
USDA hardiness zones: 3a (Yellowstone / high mountain valleys) to 5b (Cheyenne / eastern WY plains)
Unemployment: up to $508/week for 26 weeks
Free or low-cost soil testing available through the state extension service
Seven topics, one state
Each section focuses on one question. Find what you need without wading through what you don't.
Official maps and tools for flood, fire, earthquake, water, dam, river, and local hazard awareness.
Am I at risk? →
Find nearby courses, extension programs, and emergency training that build practical skills.
Where do I learn? →
Connect with local gatherings, neighbor-help efforts, civic groups, and community support networks.
What's happening near me? →
Find official alerts, emergency agencies, trauma centers, and crisis-response information near you.
Who do I call? →
Use local frost dates, planting zones, soil data, extension calendars, and composting guidance.
What can I grow? →
Find food, utility, health, unemployment, and 211 resources before hardship becomes crisis.
Where can I find help? →
Find your county transit provider, demand-response ride service, and carpool matching options.
How do I get around? →
Simple step-by-step preparedness checklists for your home, family, garden, documents, and local risks.
What do I do next? →
Get specific
Enter your ZIP code to see real-time weather alerts, drought conditions, FEMA disaster declarations, and county-level resources.
Next steps
Know your risks
Flood zones, hazard maps, and the WY risks that apply to your county.
Local Risk ReadinessBuild the basics
The universal first step — before you personalize, get the 72-hour foundation in place.
First 72 Hours