PORCH PONDERINGS

The Yellowstone Flood

The big news around here is the flooding near Yellowstone. Yellowstone National Park is closed, all entrances as of yesterday. The roads out of Gardiner have washed away.

I used to live in Gardiner. We made a home there for about ten years. I love Gardiner. A small little town nestled between the river and the mountains. About 500 people live there year-round. But in the summer when Yellowstone is in full swing, about 2,000 to 3,000 will stay on any one night. It's an isolated wonderful place to be.

The Yellowstone River is a mighty river, an undammed river in the US. When it floods, well, watch out. But this flood is epic. The water that rushed down Monday was record-breaking. It took out roads and bridges, houses, trees, whatever stood in its way.

So now Gardiner, and those in the town, are isolated. Nothing can come in, no one can leave. The power went out. The sewage and water treatment plant went out. The grocery store cannot be supplied. There is no medical care in town. Tourists are trapped in town with no way out. Restaurants and hotels have no way to resupply, or even safely wash laundry and dishes.

I just pray there was no loss of human life. The lives of those living there will be impacted for sure. Tourism is their 'bread and butter'. Without the tourism dollars from Yellowstone, they will have some rough times ahead. Living for 9 months with only 3 months of income is tough enough.

So pray for the folks in this wonderful little hamlet. I dearly love this place. It has a piece of my heart.