RED LOGY, Mont. (AP) – Amid strong criticism six days after leaving the country without telling his constituents, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte’s office has confirmed that he had gone to Italy with his wife.
His office said it was regularly informed of the intense flooding that ravaged the northern part of Yellowstone National Park and nearby communities.
Criticism of Gianforte was a little more political than practical.
U.S. Democratic Sen. Jon Tester said Friday that when you’re in the public service, things are unprecedented, and this week’s disaster is quite significant. But a Carbon County commissioner said he was able to contact Gianforte by phone and that the state did not neglect any duty.
Officials said Friday that part of Yellowstone could reopen next week.
“Yellowstone National Park continues its efforts to recover from the historic floods,” the park said in a press release. “Limited reopening is very possible next week in the southern loop of the park with some modifications to the visitor entrance. Visitors traveling to the car park in the coming weeks should be informed [the] current situation, changes in visitor entry requirements, and road and weather conditions. “
Officials said that although the park’s five entrances are temporarily closed, they aim to possibly reopen the west, south and east entrances.