Flooding Forces Yosemite Closure Park Service Evacuates 2,000 Campers

The swollen Merced River danced over its banks Thursday, inundating much of the Yosemite Valley with several feet of water and briefly trapping up to 5,000 visitors.

The river - filled snow that melted in the onslaught of a warm spring rainstorm - closed all entrances to the popular Yosemite National Park valley.

“I don’t remember seeing the river like this in the last 20 years,” said Tom Pimental, who stood on the banks watching the white water.

The National Park Service took no chances with the river, keeping media away from the water-logged valley and away from up to 2,000 campers who were evacuated.

The campers, some of whom were upset at losing their vacation in Yosemite, were ordered out of the park at 4 p.m. through Highways 120 and 41. The media were funneled to a west entrance, Highway 140, which will remain closed through the weekend.

The evacuations were ordered because the authorities were concerned about another weather front coming in Thursday night, said ranger Rick Smith.

He said authorities do not know whether the valley will reopen today or over the weekend.

“We will be assessing the roads and the situation in the valley as we go,” he said. “It’s not safe for traffic yet.”

It was hardly even safe for boats Thursday, park officials said, but a ranger did float across Yosemite Valley on a kayak.