Olympic National Park and Forest – The devastating effects of the current heavy rainfall on local communities in western Washington are also affecting Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest.
ONP spokesperson Molly Pittman on Monday morning sent the following information to KONP via email.
“All campgrounds are closed for the upcoming atmospheric river.
During the last atmospheric river event, floodwaters covered the North Shore Quinault Road near Big Creek and the Hoh Road near the entrance station. The North Fork Quinault Road is currently closed until the water recedes and repairs can be made. The Hoh Road is mostly clear, and only minor damage is present. The Hoh area will remain closed until crews can complete cleanup efforts and conduct a full assessment of the culvert and road condition.
A 25-foot landslide has covered the Spruce Railroad Trail with debris. The area remains an active slide zone. Cleanup and assessment efforts will begin once the site stabilizes.”
Olympic National Forest’s Corina Rendon sent us this update.
“Forest Service crews will assess damage when safely able to, but it will take some time to understand the full extent of conditions. More rain is expected this week, which may worsen conditions.
The combination of atmospheric rivers with the fragile soil type and steep mountains found on the Olympic Peninsula can create surge runoff triggering multiple debris flows, blow down and washouts. Areas of particular concern include recent burn scars.
Closures remain in effect for parts of the Bear Gulch and Tunnel Creek Fire areas.
Forest managers are reminding visitors to use caution and to not drive on roads that are underwater or that have been partially washed out from the storm runoff.”