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Dramatic video footage of Yellowstone flooding shows homes COLLAPSING as campers escape deadly deluge

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has requested Biden to declare a major disaster in his state

Shocking videos from the flooding and destruction at Yellowstone National Park made the rounds on social media as Montana Governor Greg Gianforte requested President Joe Biden to declare a major disaster in his state. 

The Republican Governor asked the Democrat president to send in the feds to investigate and hopefully alleviate some of the issues facing the state following what park officials have described as a "once in a thousand-year event." Gianforte wrote, "I respectfully request that a major disaster be declared for the State of Montana as a result of spring flooding that began on June 10, 2022."

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Gianforte explained in his letter that a number of factors had contributed to the flooding, including winter snows or 'snowpack' melting more rapidly than usual and resulting in overflowing water levels. The governor added that the snow had been kept in place for longer than usual due to the cooler-than-average temperatures throughout much of April and May. This meant it has now melted quicker than it normally would and thereby inundated the area with rushing waters. 

The rare flooding has driven more than 10,000 visitors out of the park and damaged numerous homes in nearby communities. Fortunately, no one has been reported hurt or killed at the time of publication. Some campers left in the massive park were seen in shocking videos evacuating the park by making their way out of the backcountry.

That said, Montana has also asked Washington, DC for EPA assistance to test the quality of public water, especially after officials warned Tuesday that local drinking water had become unsafe. State authorities have also asked the energy department to restore power for affected communities, the Army Corps of Engineers to fight against flooding, and the transportation department to assess federal roadways.

The state noted that $29 million in transportation infrastructure has been done while the areas affected usually generate hundreds of millions in tourism revenue. The letter, penned by Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras, also includes a geological survey assessment aside from health and human services requests.

Park officials have predicted that Yellowstone — the oldest national park in the US — will remain closed for the rest of the year owing to the widespread flood damage. They characterized the deluge as a once in a "thousand-year event" that could permanently alter the course of the Yellowstone River and its surrounding landscapes. The river's volume is flowing at a velocity of 20,000 cubic feet per second, which is faster than the previous record measured in the 90s.

At least 10,000 tourists were evacuated from the park, including a dozen campers who were airlifted via rescue helicopters. Authorities shuttered all entrances to the park on Tuesday. They predicted that some southern roads may open in a week, but northern roads will remain closed through the fall.

Meanwhile, hundreds of houses have been flooded or washed away by raging currents, roads have been carved away, and several bridges have collapsed into the torrent, the Daily Mail reported.