The West just experienced an aspect of the climate crisis that scientists have warned of for years

Drought conditions persisted in the Southwest, where water is desperately needed to replenish the country's largest reservoirs relied on by tens of millions of people.

In the middle of a prolonged, water shortage-inducing megadrought, one area, Yellowstone, was overwhelmed by drenching rainfall and rapid snowmelt that -- instead of replenishing the ground over a matter of weeks or months -- created a torrent of flash flooding that ripped out roads and bridges and caused severe damage to one of the country's most cherished national parks.

In the meantime, drought conditions persisted in the Southwest, where water is desperately needed to replenish the country's largest reservoirs, and provide relief to regions tormented by record-setting wildfires.