Jun 14, 2022 - Energy & Climate

Historic Yellowstone flooding forces 10,000 to flee park

Rebecca Falconer

In this aerial view, flooding is seen on June 14, 2022 in Livingston, Montana. — An aerial view of flooding in Livingston, Mont., on Tuesday. Photo: William Campbell/Getty Images

Yellowstone National Park officials said Tuesday they've evacuated more than 10,000 visitors due to historic flooding, per AP.

What's happening: Superintendent Cam Sholly said about a dozen campers were still in the backcountry of the park that straddles three states, but the park has contacted them and while they were ready to leave by helicopter this hadn't been needed yet, WBAL-TV reports.

The big picture: Record flooding, rockslides and hazardous conditions destroyed bridges and roads across Yellowstone on Monday following heavy rain and melting snow.

Half of Yellowstone will be closed for the foreseeable future as a result of the flooding, officials said earlier on Tuesday.

Context: Extreme precipitation events such as this one are becoming more common and severe due to human-caused climate change, per Axios' Andrew Freedman.

Go deeper... Yellowstone floods: Photos, video show massive damage

Editor's note: This article has been updated with more context.

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Historic Yellowstone flooding forces 10,000 to flee park

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