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Storm Cleanup Continuing At Olympic National Park

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Published Date

August 30, 2015
Storm damage at Olympic National Park/NPS

Strong winds downed trees across Olympic National Park on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, damaging vehicles and closing roads/NPS

The sounds of chainsaws tearing through trees resounded across Olympic National Park on Sunday as crews worked to clear numerous downed trees so they could reopen park entrance roads and campgrounds, make damage assessments, and begin repairs in the wake of a powerful wind storm.

Winds gusting to 80 mph on Saturday downed trees across the park, including some that smashed down onto cars. There were no reports of injuries, however, park staff said Sunday.

As of Sunday morning, Highways 101 and 112 were open, as were the Hurricane Ridge Road, Deer Park Road, and Sol Duc Road. All other roads into Olympic National Park remained closed as rangers assessed safety and work to clear large debris. These areas include Elwha, Hoh Rain Forest, Mora, Ozette, Staircase and Quinault.

Camp David Jr. Road is closed to non-resident traffic due to a landslide. All other roads around Lake Crescent were open.

All park campgrounds remained closed.

Visitors were being urged to use caution when traveling through the park, obey posted closures and watch for workers, equipment and traffic control devices.

Storm damage at Olympic National Park/NPS

Crews worked Sunday to clear downed trees across Olympic National Park/NPS

 

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Comments

Submitted by Megaera on August 30, 2015 - 7:23pm.

This was the most mis-timed November windstorm I've ever been through [g].  We got 50+ gusts here near Tacoma, so Hurricane Ridge really must have been living up to its name.


Submitted by Lee Dalton on August 30, 2015 - 7:32pm.

Wow, ALL park campgrounds remain closed.  That tells us a lot about how widespread this thing must have been.

 

When I was Elwha campground three weeks ago, a huge Douglas fir came down and there was no wind whatsoever.  Listening to the breaking of limbs and smaller trees and wondering where whatever it was would land definitely got your attention.  When it landed, my little trailer jumped an inch or two off the ground -- at least it felt like it.

 

Turned out it had missed some of the camp's walkin sites by just a few feet.  I'm sure those folks will have a story to tell for years to come.  Very fortunate.

 

I'm not sure I'd have wanted to be there in a storm like this.  T'would be nice to have more details when they become available.


Submitted by tahoma on September 2, 2015 - 9:26am.

All park facilities have reopened except Mora Campground & Spruce Nature Trail at the Hoh rain forest:
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150902/NEWS/309029985/lone-olympic-national-park-campground-still-closed-as-work-continues


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