Yellowstone National Park Is Shuttered Due to Unprecedented Flooding

Yellowstone National Park Is Shuttered, Due to Unprecedented Flooding.

Yellowstone National Park Is Shuttered, Due to Unprecedented Flooding.

Officials with Yellowstone National Park announced the closure on June 13.

The park will reportedly remained closed until at least June 15.

Severe flooding has resulted in evacuations and water contamination.

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, Cam Sholly, Yellowstone Superintendent, via CNN.

Residents who live north of the park say that flooding in the area is the worst they've experienced.

The river has never been this high before by my house, Elizabeth Aluck, Resident, via CNN.

Tourists in the area describe the conditions and how their exit from the area has been hampered.

The water levels were high on Saturday but within the past 10 to 12 hours things have gotten rougher, Parker Manning , Yellowstone Tourist, via CNN.

Our way out of town would be north on 89, but those roads are currently all underwater, Parker Manning , Yellowstone Tourist, via CNN.

On June 14, MT Governor Greg Gianforte declared a "statewide disaster" via Twitter, "to help impacted communities get back on their feet as soon as possible".

The National Weather Service in Billings stated that "flooding rarely or never seen before across many area rivers and streams.".

Yellowstone officials stated that the June 15 reopening of the park is conditional.

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, Cam Sholly, Yellowstone Superintendent, via CNN.

It is likely that the northern loop will be closed for a substantial amount of time, Cam Sholly, Yellowstone Superintendent, via CNN