Heavy rains Sunday caused significant flooding in Death Valley National Park, closing roads and trapping many visitors at Furnace Creek.
As storms diminished, Caltrans quickly cleared debris, allowing visitors to depart by around 4 p.m., according to the National Park Service.
Rain began in the area at 10 a.m., dropping 1.7 inches of rain at Furnace Creek. Flash flooding on Highway 190 near Zabriskie Point and north of Furnace Creek blocked traffic out of the valley. Rangers directed visitors to Furnace Creek where hundreds waited out the storm at the Visitor Center and Furnace Creek Ranch complex.
Rangers are currently checking all roadways to assess conditions and make sure that all visitors are safe.
Roads that remain closed today include Highway 178 (Badwater Road) between Furnace Creek and Shoshone, Dantes View Road, Greenwater Road, and Scotty’s Castle Road. All dirt roads are closed. Additionally Scotty’s Castle is closed.
