SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – All entrances to Yellowstone National Park have been closed to visitor traffic as historic flooding and rockslides laid waste to parts of the beloved park on Monday.
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"Our first priority has been to evacuate the northern section of the park where we have multiple road and bridge failures, mudslides and other issues," Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly said in a statement. Power is out in multiple locations across the park and the Yellowstone River is estimated to be "beyond record levels," officials said.
One visitor from Terra Haute, Ind. told The Associated Press he witnessed "entire trees" and a single kayaker floating down the Yellowstone River, which he called "kind of insane." The Yellowstone River at Corwin Springs crested at 13.88 feet on Monday, topping the previous record of 11.5 feet, according to the National Weather Service.
Stunning video posted to social media showed sections of paved road completed washed out along the Gardner River between Mammoth Hot Springs and the North Entrance through the Gardner Canyon.
Gardiner, Mont. – a small community of about 830 residents that serves as a main entrance to the northern portion of Yellowstone – "is currently isolated" because of the damage, with crews working "to provide necessary support to residents, who are currently without water and power in some areas."
Visitors in the park's southern loop are being evacuated because of ongoing "concerns with water and wastewater systems."
Many residents in the Yellowstone area remain unable to evacuate with roads and bridges washed out, as reported by CNN. Officials are also encouraging local businesses to consider food rationing in the event no food is available in the immediate area and roads are still closed or underwater. "We will not know timing of the park's reopening until flood waters subside and we're able to assess the damage throughout the park," Sholly added. "It is likely that the northern loop will be closed for a substantial amount of time."
The extraordinary weather comes at the height of the tourist season.
The hard stop on inbound traffic is expected to continue through Wednesday "at a minimum." The U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service and governors of Montana and Wyoming are assisting in the effort.
Anyone planning a visit in the near future is asked to check road conditions in advance. Rainfall is expected to continue "for the next several days."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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