Ogden family talks about being trapped by floodwaters in Gardiner, Montana


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GARDINER, Mont. — Rick and Tammy Creeger have of a lot of memories, and pictures, of Yellowstone National Park.

"It's really special every time we get a chance to go. We spent our honeymoon there," said Rick Creeger.

So, they were excited for their latest trip to Yellowstone for their son's birthday. It was also their daughter-in-law's first trip to the park. However, it quickly became a vacation they all say they will truly never forget.

"We watched the river swell and swell. It was moving so fast," said Tammy Creeger, who documented the flooding with video.

When they arrived to Gardiner, Montana, they took more pictures of the river knowing it wasn't supposed to be as high as it was.

"It's hard to remember how big the river was when you look at it like that because it's 10-times the size it should've been," Rick Creeger said.

Then, when some of the bridges started to collapse, the Creegers realized they were trapped.

"We were an island, you know. It was an interesting experience. I'm 62 years old and I have been through earthquakes in California, the tornado in Salt Lake, harsh winters in Colorado, and I've never, never seen anything quite like this," Tammy Creeger said. "It was tragic when we saw that cabin fall into the water. I have never seen so much water."

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They were stuck in Gardiner for about a day, along with hundreds, if not thousands, of other park visitors.

All anybody could do was watch the river rise.

"Some of the sizes of the logs was amazing," Rick said. "It was something to see as they went down the river."

Tuesday morning, word spread there was one road that was reopened, and people could leave if they left right away. The Creegers packed up and left to go home to Ogden.

They're sad knowing lots of places were damaged, but can't wait to go back one day.

"It is a very special place and it will be again," Tammy Creeger said.

"One for the history books," Rick Creeger said. "Literally."

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Alex Cabrero
Alex Cabrero has been reporting for KSL-TV for nearly two decades. He has covered a variety of stories over the years from a variety of places, but he particularly enjoys sharing stories that show what's good in the world.

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