New Tesla Model Y Long Range owner and endurance athlete, Jacob Showers, was hiking the Beaten Path trail, near Yellowstone National Park—then flooding began in the area.
When he returned to his new Tesla Model Y Long Range, the single access road had been flooded over and he was stranded, along with other strangers and roughly 10-15 cars.
The trail he was running on was partly washed away but he made it back to the cabins in the area. The plan was to stay the night with some strangers in their cabin and drive home the next day, assuming the water would subside.
Unfortunately, that never happened. Instead, Showers and nearly 60 others stayed two nights in the isolated area without cell service, before rescue helicopters arrived.
@billingsgazette here is some video footage of East Rosebud road – currently trapped here with about 50 others. pic.twitter.com/b7eV1CkiEB
— Jacob (@ShowersJacob) June 13, 2022
Showers told Tesla North in an interview the stranger’s cabin he was staying in—had SpaceX Starlink internet powered by a generator. This allowed the group to call for help and be rescued.
SpaceX recently launched Starlink for RV, allowing the service to be used on a month-to-month basis where coverage is available.
Before the floods, Showers was camping in his two-month-old Model Y. He told Tesla North his Model Y battery’s state of charge was at “around 140 miles” when he had to sadly leave the car behind.
When the rescue helicopters came, in the form of a Chinook and multiple Black Hawks, Showers had to abandon his new Tesla Model Y that still had temporary license plates on.
The group was “having meetings to ration food when the helicopters arrived. Had [10 minutes] to get on and leave,” said Showers.
@elonmusk I have a favor to ask. I was just in the mountains of Montana and we got completely flooded out. We had to be evacuated. My new Model Y is trapped in the mountains for at least a year until a new road gets built. Any chance I could borrow one until then???? pic.twitter.com/BFtHIuLdaI
— Jacob (@ShowersJacob) June 14, 2022
Showers told Tesla North he has yet to hear back from his insurance company to see if his Model Y will be covered.
A wild, once in a 1,000 year experience this weekend. What started as a run in the rain turned into a massive flood, stranded village, helicopter EVAC, and a ton of new friend and relationships. All is GOOD thank God, just a little bummed about the Tesla.Shoutout @usarmy NG pic.twitter.com/XQhNVCqVjE
— Jacob (@ShowersJacob) June 16, 2022
As of writing, Showers said he is boarding a flight home and hopes to share more about his once-in-a-lifetime experience when he returns. “All is good thank god, just a little bummed about the Tesla,” said Showers, while giving a shoutout to the U.S. Army for rescuing the group.
