Yosemite releases dramatic video footage from the weekend's flooding in the valley

Heavy rain and melting snow from a warm tropical storm flooded Yosemite Valley over the weekend, covering some roads with up to 4 feet of water.

The national park system released footage Wednesday showing meadows that look like lakes and raging waterfalls that sound like thunder.

A swollen Merced River covered bridges and campgrounds in water. The river crested at 13.73 feet at Pohono Bridge, rising 4 feet above flood stage and inundating campgrounds, meadows and roadways.

The park closed ahead of the heaviest rainfall on Friday at 5 p.m. and reopened Sunday at noon after the river subsided.

Housekeeping Camp in Yosemite National Park during an atmospheric river event on April 7, 2018 Housekeeping Camp in Yosemite National Park during an atmospheric river event on April 7, 2018 Photo: Yosemite National Park Photo: Yosemite National Park Image 1 of / 27 Caption Close Yosemite releases dramatic video footage from the weekend's flooding in the valley 1 / 27 Back to Gallery

Forecasters said up to 6 inches of rain fell in the Yosemite area over two days, and roads within Yosemite Valley were swamped by 2 to 4 feet of water that affected electrical and water systems. Some roads were washed out.

Most facilities reopened at midday Sunday.

A so-called "atmospheric river" moved into Northern California last Thursday night, delivering heavy widespread precipitation Friday and into Saturday morning. The system carried high amounts of moisture and its moisture tap stretched all the way to the Hawaiian Islands.

The storm had unusually low snow levels with areas as high as 11,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada being pounded with rain. The National Weather Service issued flood warnings for several areas around the Sierra ahead of the storm.