Yellow Stone National Park Closed Due to Intense Flooding and Mudslides

On Monday, major flooding at Yellowstone National Park took away at least one bridge, washed away roads, and triggered mudslides, causing officials to seal the park's entrances and evacuate people.

(Photo : Wikimedia Commons)

"Exceptional Rainfall"

The flooding was caused by "exceptional rainfall," according to park authorities on Facebook.

The park superintendent announced that due to record floods and rockslides caused by a burst of torrential rainfall, all five gates to Yellowstone national park were closed on Monday, the first day of the summer tourist season.

Closed Until Further Announcement

At least until Wednesday, the whole park, which spans portions of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, will be closed to visitors, including those with hotel and camping reservations, as authorities assess damage to roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.

Scientists say they can't link a single weather event to climate change without additional research. Still, climate change is causing more powerful and frequent extreme events, including storms, droughts, floods, and wildfires.

Flooding was also caused by recent heavy rains and spring runoff in southern Montana, with water rushing down streets in Red Lodge. According to the Office of Emergency Management, carbon County has issued evacuation orders.

Historic Flood

For the first time since a series of deadly wildfires in 1988, all five park entrances were blocked from entering vehicles. Officials said the National Park Service sought to contact tourists and personnel who had remained in various areas, particularly in Yellowstone's hardest-hit northern side.

The park superintendent, Cam Sholly, stated in a statement that "our first focus has been to evacuate the northern area of the park where we have several road and bridge collapses, mudslides, and other concerns."

According to the National Park Service, the "gateway" village of Gardiner, Montana, located just north of the park's northern boundary and home to many Yellowstone service personnel, has been shut off owing to a mudslide in the area.

The park's electric power was knocked out in several parts, and preliminary inspections revealed that large portions of roads were swept away or covered with boulders and mud, with several bridges also destroyed, according to the park service.

According to the organization, many roads in the park's southern tier were on the edge of flooding.

Also Read: Atmospheric River Rages Towards the Pacific Northwest

Days of Continous Rain

Days of heavy rainfall in the park and continuous rains over most of the region produced the flooding and avalanche following one of the wettest springs in recent years. The park staff described the great rain and flooding that swept through the area.

A rapid rise in summer temperatures over the previous three days has sped the melting and runoff of late-winter storm snow in the park's higher elevations.

Holiday Rain

Heavy rains and quick snow melt collided in the park barely two weeks after the customary Memorial Day weekend opening of the US summer tourist season, which accounts for the vast majority of Yellowstone's yearly 4 million visitors.