UPDATE 1:25 p.m.
Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly issued this statement:
“Due to the flood events recorded in the park and more rainfall in the forecast, we have decided to close Yellowstone to all incoming visits. Our first priority has been to evacuate the northern section of the park where we have multiple road failures and Bridges, mudslides, and other problems The Gardiner community is currently isolated and we are working with Montana County and State to provide the necessary support to residents, who are currently without water or electricity in some areas. of the predictions of higher flood levels in the southern loop areas of the park, in addition to concerns with water and wastewater systems, we will begin moving southern loop visitors out of the park later today in coordination with our park business partners .. We will not know when the park will reopen until the flood waters subside and we can assess the damage throughout the park. The north loop is closed for a substantial time. I appreciate the efforts of the Yellowstone team and their partners to safely evacuate the park areas and our community partners from the front door who are helping us during this great event. We appreciate the support of the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service and the governors of Montana and Wyoming. “
_______________________________________________________________________________
Update 11:05 h
Officials have closed all traffic entering Yellowstone National Park “due to extremely dangerous conditions due to unprecedented amounts of rain.”
Park officials issued this statement:
All entrances to Yellowstone National Park are temporarily CLOSED due to heavy flooding, landslides and extremely dangerous conditions; Be informed about the state of the road and the weather conditions!
With immediate effect, all entrances to Yellowstone National Park are temporarily closed due to substantial flooding, rock slides and mudslides on the roads due to recent amounts of rain and unprecedented flooding.
With immediate effect, visitors will not be allowed to enter the park until conditions have stabilized and the park can assess damage to roads, bridges and other facilities. This includes visitors with accommodation and camping reservations.
Closed tickets include:
– North
– Northeast
– West
– South
– East
Electricity is cut off at various places in the park.
Visitors planning to come to Yellowstone in the coming weeks should pay close attention to the condition of the roads.
Many roads in the park may remain closed for an extended period of time.
Preliminary assessments show that several stretches of roads along the park have been washed or covered in mud or rocks, and several bridges may be affected.
Multiple roads in the southern part of the park are also about to be flooded, further restricting access.
With the expected additional rainfall, the park does not want a large number of daytime visitors to be stranded in the park.
Tensions at wastewater and water treatment facilities could become a factor and the park is taking precautions to ensure that the facilities do not fail.
The National Park Service, surrounding counties and the state of Montana and Wyoming will work with gateway communities to assess flood impacts and support residents.
Rainfall is expected to continue for the next few days. Flood levels measured in the Yellowstone River exceed record levels.
More information: go.nps.gov/220613
______________________________________________________________
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK – Roads in the northern part of Yellowstone National Park were temporarily closed Monday morning due to heavy flooding, rock slides and mudslides on the roads due to unprecedented recent rainfall.
Park officials said in a press release that some of the roads may be closed for an extended period of time.
Roadblocks on Monday mornings include:
- North entrance (Gardiner, Montana) to Mammoth Hot Springs
- Mammoth Hot Springs to Tower-Roosevelt
- Tower-Roosevelt to the northeast entrance
- Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris Junction
- Canyon Junction to Tower-Roosevelt
Yellowstone National Park
Large rock slide on North Entrance Road in Gardner Canyon.
The press release states that preliminary assessments show that several sections of road in the park have been washed between Gardiner and Cooke City, Montana, and several bridges may be affected.
Visitors currently in the northern part of the park are being evacuated.
American Highway 89 S is closed to Yankee Jim Canyon due to about 3 feet of water on the road. Check the Montana Department of Transportation [mdt.mt.gov] for road upgrades.
The National Park Service, Park County, Montana and the state will work with communities in Gardiner, Silver Gate and Cooke City to assess the impacts of flooding and support residents.
Keep up to date with road conditions in Yellowstone here: Park Roads [nps.gov].
The press release indicates that park crews will begin assessing damage to the southern part of the park soon and rain is expected to continue over the next few days.
Yellowstone National Park
Worn bridge at Rescue Creek