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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Adam May

Entire house swept down river as 'bizarre' flood strikes Yellowstone National Park

Dramatic footage has shown entire houses being swept down the river after a "bizarre" flood struck a famous national park in the USA.

Homes in Yellowstone National Park, which spans parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, were under siege after record flooding hit the area.

It's understood the floods were caused by heavy rain and melting snow combining to create the power currents, leading to severe damage.

All five entrances to the national park were shut to the public on Monday, which also marked the start of the summer tourist season.

It will remain closed until at least Wednesday, the park has confirmed, due to "heavy flooding, rockslides and extremely hazardous conditions".

Ariel footage taken from a helicopter shows a paved road eroded and washed out in several places due to high water levels in the adjacent river, with strong currents battering the local landscape.

Support is also being offered to the community of Gardiner which is currently isolated. Some residents are without power or water.

The flooding and mudslides were triggered by days of torrential showers in the park after one of the area's wettest springs in years.

There has also been a sudden spike in temperatures, leading to the snow melting and adding to the already heavy rainfall across much of the region.

The levels of flooding and rainfall have been described as "unprecedented" by the park.

On Monday, superintendent Cam Sholly said: "Due to record flooding event in the park and more precipitation in the forecast, we have made the decision to close Yellowstone to all inbound visitation.

"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. The community of Gardiner is currently isolated, and we are working with the county and State of Montana to provide necessary support to residents, who are currently without water and power in some areas. "

The house fell into the river after 'unprecedented' flooding (Angie Lilly via REUTERS)

He added: "Due to predictions of higher flood levels in areas of the park’s southern loop, in addition to concerns with water and wastewater systems, we will begin to move visitors in the southern loop out of the park later today in coordination with our in-park business partners.

"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. It is likely that the northern loop will be closed for a substantial amount of time.

"I appreciate the efforts of the Yellowstone team and partners to safely evacuate areas of the park and of our gateway community partners who are helping us through this major event. We appreciate the support offered by the Department of the Interior, National Park Service and the Montana and Wyoming governors."

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