Yellowstone National Park will partially reopen on Wednesday at 8am following catastrophic flooding that destroyed bridges and roads, prompting the evacuation of thousands of tourists. The National Park Service announced that visitors will be allowed on the southern loop under a temporary licence plate system to manage crowds.
Under the system, vehicles with even-numbered plates and motorcycle groups can enter on even-numbered days, while odd-numbered or vanity plates gain access on odd-numbered days. Commercial tours and visitors with proof of overnight reservations are exempt from the plate restrictions.
The southern loop includes iconic attractions such as Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The north loop is expected to remain closed through the summer, with repairs potentially costing over $1bn (£800m) and taking years.
More than 10,000 visitors were evacuated on 14 June after 2.5 to 4 inches of rain caused surging floodwaters that swept houses into rivers and forced rescues by air and boat. An employee bunkhouse was carried miles downstream.
