Record floods last week in Yellowstone National Park destroyed bridges, trails and surrounding areas of the park, forcing the national park to close. Officials say part of the park is expected to reopen on June 22 as they work to repair the extensive damage.
The floods in the park began on June 13, forcing evacuations and closing entrances. Bridges, as well as roads, were washed away in the first two days by the floods, photos show. Electricity was reportedly cut off in parts of the park, and sewer systems in Canyon Village and Mammoth Hot Springs were also affected by the floods and monitored. “Due to record floods in the park and more rainfall in the forecast, we have decided to close Yellowstone for all incoming visits,” Inspector Cam Sholly said in a statement. About 10,000 visitors were expelled from the park on June 16, along with residents living in the surrounding areas. Eighty-seven people were rescued from the park by the Montana National Guard on June 15, according to a statement released.
YELOUSTON NATIONAL PARK TO OPEN SOME AFTER THE FLOOD In nearby towns, including Fromberg, flooded buildings and damaged residential buildings. Nearly 100 Fromberg houses were reported damaged, with about a third of the houses not being repaired, the city mayor said. Park officials announced Saturday that visitors will be welcomed back into the park via the south loop under a temporary license plate system. Even plates and motorcycle groups will have access to even days and vice versa for those with single plates. THE FORCES OF NATURE IN APPEARANCE IN A FLOOD OF YELLOW STONES Officials said the northern part of the park would reopen in the next two weeks after “completion of cleaning, repairs and final inspection of the northern loop infrastructure,” a press release said. The reopening of both entrances will give tourists access to about 80% of the park, including the Dunraven Pass, Tower and Mammoth Hot Springs. YELLOWSTONE FLOOD: PHOTOS SHOW DAMAGE AS AN ESTIMATE OF ECONOMIC COMMUNITIES A June 20 statement said an initial $ 50 million in emergency funding would be used to “restore temporary access to Gardiner and Cooke City, Montana” and elsewhere. The funding comes in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration. NPS is also working with the Federal Highway Authority to open temporary and permanent access options to Silver Gate and Cooke City in the northern part of the park. CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION Officials said up to $ 1 billion could be needed to repair the total damage to the park. Haley Chi-Sing is a production assistant at Fox News Digital. You can reach her at @haleychising on Twitter.