A park announced On Monday afternoon, all entrances to the park were closed to visitors, citing a flood record. events”and forecast of more rain ahead.
“Our first the first priority was the evacuation of the northern part of a park where we have multiple road and bridge failures, landslides and other issues,” said Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Scholley. in announcement on Monday.
“The river has never been so high, in my opinion. houseElizabeth Alak said. who life in Gardiner in Park County. Alak told CNN on Monday afternoon that she cannot evacuate because roads and bridges surround her. home wash themselves out.
Indiana family short stay -term rented cabin in Gardiner told CNN they were supposed to leave Monday morning but the flood left they are stuck.
“The water level was high on Saturday but during past 10-12 hours everything got harder,” said Parker Manning. — Our way out of the city would be north on 89 but these roads currently everything is under water.
the Yellowstone River, which runs through the park and several cities in Park County, increased to record high Monday due to recent heavy rains and significant runoff from snowmelt in higher altitude, according to CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller.
Some are evacuated, others remain trapped
With several roads and bridges rendered impassable by flood waters, park and county officials are working to evacuate anyone they can and provide assistance. support topics who can’t leave.
Park County Sheriff’s Department Issued Shelter in place order before 7am Monday for those in the south of mile marker 52.5 on US Highway 89 South, Facebook post said.
National Guard and local search and rescue complex teams helped with evacuations and rescues throughout the county, including two air elevators and one rapid water rescue, the county said.
Damaged utility lines flooded in neighboring Carbon County, Montana, leaving many customers jobless. in Red box without powerofficials said.
Meanwhile, several roads and bridges in Yellowstone is also According to representatives of the park, they suffered from flooding. Videos released by the park show portions of paved road washed out or badly damaged.
Because of the predictions of higher flood levels and concerns about water supply and sanitation systems, park also began moving visitors out of south loop of Monday in the park, Scholley said.
“We will not know timing of opening of the park flood the waters are receding and we can assess the damage throughout the park,” Scholli said. — It is likely that the northern loop will be closed. for significant amount of time.”
Sharp increase in rain amplifies flood waters
In June, northwestern Wyoming and southern Montana received heavy rainfall. more what 400% of in the region, average, according to Miller.
Sharp increase in the rain was tied with near-record temperature in in region which has caused snow melting in areas of high altitude, NWS in Riverton, Wyoming said. Sunday night, melting snow made this is way into streams and rivers, further increasing flood waters, the NWS said.
In addition to record set at Corwin Springs, the Yellowstone River reached 10.9 feet. in Livingston, Montana, Monday exceeding area1997 record of 10.7 ft SZS in Billings, Montana said.
CNN’s Sarah Smart, Claudia Dominguez, Raja Razek, Brandon Miller and Amanda Jackson contributed to this report.
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