Sections of the Yellowstone May Remain Close During the Entire Summer Season Because of Severe Flooding

After unprecedented floods flooded Yellowstone National Park on Monday, officials say some entrances might reopen "as soon as this weekend."

"Road portions in northern Yellowstone are unlikely to reopen this season because of the time necessary for repairs," they add.

Closing a Popular Tourist Destination

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, popular animal viewing locations in the Lamar Valley, the Mammoth Hot Springs Lodge, and park headquarters are all part of Yellowstone's northern road circle.

The southern road loop received less damage and provided access to Old Faithful geyser, Yellowstone Lake, and a large tourist center. "Half the park cannot support all of the visitations," Park Superintendent Cam Sholly adds, "therefore, we are examining a range of possibilities."

A ticketed admission or reservation system is one of them. Yellowstone National Park attracts over 4 million visitors each year.

Late Monday night, flood levels around the Park peaked. Several counties downstream of the Yellowstone River and its tributaries are still under flood warnings or watches.

The village of Gardiner, just outside the Park's north entrance, had limited road access restored yesterday after being shut off for nearly 24 hours when roads were washed out Monday. According to Yellowstone Public Radio, the major roadway out of town is now only available to incoming inhabitants, needed items, and exiting visitors.

Meanwhile, Gardiner's drinking water remains contaminated, requiring local businesses to adjust.

In the middle of a continuing boil order, Stacey Joy, owner of a lodge and café in Gardiner, told YPR's Olivia Weitz that they are offering a restricted menu and doing their best.

"Normally, we have a queue out the door for coffee and espresso, which we cannot provide at this time," she explained. "The water temperature has not been maintained at a safe level for long enough."

Assessing the Damages

Damage is still being assessed 50 miles downstream, where the Yellowstone river cuts through the town of Livingston, Mont.

After being evacuated on Tuesday, the town's lone hospital reopened Wednesday morning. Flood waters did not reach the hospital, according to a message on the hospital's website. However, the system's phone lines are still down.

The water treatment facility in Billings, Montana's largest city, was knocked down by flooding Tuesday night. "Billings has between a day and a half of water supply," according to the city of 117,000 people.

Officials expect water levels to peak today, and they need them to decrease by nearly a foot for the plant to reopen, but "the facility still has the chore of cleaning filters to properly operate," so residents should save water in the meanwhile.

Cooke City, near Yellowstone's northeast entry, is the only park gateway town still blocked off owing to washed-out roadways.

"We can't give law enforcement or public health services out there right now," Park County Commissioner Bill Berg told Jackson Hole Community Radio on Tuesday. "We can't go out there to pick up trash; some of these is fairly basic stuff."

The community of Red Lodge, located at the base of the mountains where Cooke City is located, was inundated and is still without drinking water or is under a boil order.

Yesterday, Kuntz briefed Montana Lieutenant Governor Kristan Juras. Governor Greg Gianforte is now out of the country and has been chastised for not returning home sooner after the state was hit by catastrophic flooding. His office has now said that he will return "as soon as feasible."

River Situation

According to Yellowstone Public Radio, river levels in Bridger and Fromberg continue to increase downstream of Red Lodge. He went on to say that the remaining snow melt on the mountains, along with warm temperatures and further rain, might result in another flooding crisis.

He added that both circumstances are expected on Saturday, albeit to a lesser extent.

In support of search and rescue efforts in south central Montana, Montana Army National Guard helicopters have rescued 87 individuals and flown more than 41 hours since June 13th.

Katie Wise, a Colorado musician who was rescued from East Rosebud and sent to a Red Lodge evacuee center, was one among them.

Flood Warnings

At least a dozen counties throughout Montana are under flood warnings or watches today and tomorrow, largely along the Yellowstone River. In contrast, a flood warning for regions around Glacier National Park remains in force "until further notice."

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