Parts of Yellowstone Park could remain closed for months after historic flooding
All Yellowstone National Park entrances remain closed until further notice
Watch: Aerial view shows flooding taking place at Yellowstone National Park
Aerial view shows flooding taking place at Yellowstone’s North Entrance Road through the Gardner Canyon between Gardiner, Montana, and Mammoth Hot Springs.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK – Access to Yellowstone National Park is indefinitely closed after major flooding washed away roads and isolated communities in southern Montana.
National Park Service rangers closed off all entrances to the park Monday due to "heavy flooding, rockslides (and) extremely hazardous conditions."
Officials consider damage to the northern part of the park to be major and large sections of the Yellowstone could be closed until well after the busy tourism season.
More than 10,000 people were thought to be in the park when the historic flooding took place, but fortunately, there were no reported injuries.
The combination of several inches of rain and snowpack melt caused rivers running near the park to reach historic flood stage levels, including the Yellowstone, Boulder and Stillwater rivers.
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NPS officials warned that surveys will have to be conducted to infrastructure including hundreds of bridges before any part of the park reopens.
Yellowstone staff will likely institute a reservation system for when the southern part of the park reopens to keep facilities from being overrun.
Local officials admit the historic weather event could be challenging on local business that are devoted to tourism.
During a busy summer day, officials say the park can see more than 20,000 visitors.
Yellowstone River in Billings forecast to crest
The NWS in Billings said Tuesday that it expects to cancel many flood warnings throughout the day. However, the Yellowstone River at Billings and Clarks Fork at Edgar continue to rise.
Foothill streams will continue to recede Tuesday in southern Montana, with some dropping below flood stage, while rivers near Billings will continue to rise, according to the NWS.
At 1 a.m. Tuesday, the Yellowstone River at Billings was above flood stage and forecast to reach 14.7 feet, just below the 1997 record of 15 feet. On Monday, the Yellowstone River at Corwin Springs measured 13.85 feet, above the previous record crest of 11.5 feet set back in 1918.
Yellowstone River flooding.
(FOX Weather)
Damage assessments underway
Aerial video filmed by Yellowstone's helicopter manager showed water raging along the park's North Entrance Road and many roads washed out through Gardner Canyon between Gardiner, Montana, and Mammoth Hot Springs.
PLAN, PREPARE, PROTECT: HOW TO BEST COVER YOUR PROPERTY AGAINST FLOODS
People who live in areas surrounding the park have been directly impacted as flooding has isolated communities and homes.
Cooke City and Silver Gate were isolated and surrounded by water after the road between Gardiner and Mammoth washed out in several places, according to the Park County Sheriff's Office.
Yellowstone River flooding crosses Highway 89 South in Park County, Montana (Image credit: Park County Sheriff's Office)
Drinking water may be compromised in areas affected by the flooding. Officials warn water from wells that had been submerged in flood water may not be safe to drink. A Do Not Drink order was issued for Gardiner after a water main broke due to flooding.
Montana Yellowstone tour guide Angela Tempo is in Gardiner, where access in or out is cut off by the flooding.
"That night, it started rising extremely fast," she said. "At 5 in the morning, … it’s when we realized we were in big trouble here."
Tempo said the two roads to access Gardiner are either flooded or washed out, stranding year-round residents, seasonal employees and travelers.
"Unfortunately, the only way out is the river," Tempo said. "And it’s too high and too dangerous to run."
Flooding has been reported in Carbon, Park, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, and Yellowstone counties in Montana. Minor flooding impacts, mostly in low-lying areas, were also reported in Sheridan County, Wyoming.
The Yellowstone River runs along Highway 89 in areas where businesses frequented by park visitors would typically be packed in the busy summer months.
Historic flooding at Yellowstone National Park isolates Montana town
Angela Tempo, a guide for Montana Yellowstone Tours, says rushing floodwater has cut off travel in Gardiner, Montana.
The Park County sheriff in Montana issued a shelter-in-place order Monday south of mile marker 52.5 on U.S. Highway 89 South after extensive flooding washed out bridges and roads and crossed Highway 89.
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The National Guard assisted local first responders with evacuations and rescues east of Livingston Monday.
Montana National Guard helicopters rescued 12 people near Roscoe and Cooke City. The Guard continues to help with search and rescue near East Rosebound Lake on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Livingston city officials thanked volunteers and first responders for working through the night to keep people safe.
"After taking part in the Incident Command meeting with the county early this morning, we will continue to assess damage and will update on this page of any volunteer efforts or immediate needs/concerns as the morning goes on," the city of Livingston posted on Facebook.
On Monday, rescue operations were underway in Nye, Montana, including 68 people who became stranded at the Woodbine Campground, Montana. The campers were transported by raft to safety, according to the NWS.
Yellowstone Park staff say rockslides and high water levels could prevent crews from conducting surveys in the worst hit parts for several days.
Rockslide in Yellowstone National Park
A rockslide at Yellowstone National Park was caught on video.