WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. -- Managers of the West Yellowstone hotels damaged in Saturday’s storm are breathing a sigh of relief Monday after inspectors assessed their buildings.
The town is still abuzz about what happened Saturday, but the people have really come together to help one another take care of business.
West Yellowstone is starting to look normal again today after 85 mph winds whipped through it Saturday afternoon.
Townsfolk said that, as soon as the storm passed townsfolk say a lot of people pitched in to help.
"Guys came in; they recognized the fact that something needed to be done and they went and did it,” City Public Service Superintendent Bill Fogarty said.
"It’s one of those things; in a small community you got to do what you can,” said Greg Forsythe, owner of Westmart.
"They helped us get adequate materials and equipment,” said Tina Creason, general manager of the Yellowstone Park Inn and Suites. “Everybody has been great. When everybody comes together, that's what it takes in a small community."
While construction on the roof remains to be finished, the Best Western Weston Inn on Monday reopened the 33 rooms it closed after Saturday’s storm.
"There’s a possibility that we may have this roof repaired in two to three weeks; keep our fingers crossed,” owner Ranjit Johl said.
"In all my facilities, they've given me the go ahead to finish all the work to get everything done to get back open right before Labor Day weekend,” Creason said. “You know it's really hand for all of us. We hope and pray we can get it all done."
West Yellowstone Mayor Pierre Martineau praises the town residents for the fast help they've offered one another.
He said he can relate to those who had property damaged.
"I had trees down in my front yard; I had trees down on my car,” Martineau said. “We are fortunate we have no loss of life. I have a broken heart because my car got smashed."
While the damage from the storm worried hotel owners, they said it could have been a lot worse.
“The first concern was employee safety and guest safety, and I'm so glad nobody got hurt,” Johl said. “The next thing is to get it back up and running before the real snow weather comes up."
“You can't live in West Yellowstone and not be tough or be afraid of hard work,” Martineau said. We're used to hard work."
If you're headed to West Yellowstone this weekend, rest assured everyone who has a reservation should be well taken care of.
The National Weather Service has confirmed the damage was caused by a wet microburst with winds from 85 to 90 mph.