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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT Thursday, December 6, 2007 =============================================================================================================== INCIDENTS Hawaiian Parks Storm Rocks Islands, Causes Damage And Closures A strong storm passing to the north of the Hawaiian Islands yesterday brought gale force winds, high surf and flash floods. Winds were clocked at from 40 to 80 mph (with higher gusts) and waves reached heights of 18 to 22 feet on north shores. Parks throughout the islands reported associated problems. Here's how they stood as of yesterday morning (local time): USS Arizona and Pacific West Regional Office - Closed due to power outages affecting much of the island. High winds and debris were reported on all exposed highways. Halekala - The park was closed on both sides of the island. A foot of rain fell overnight. The road to the summit was closed at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. The ranger closing the road reported winds of 80 to 100 mph and cinder pelting his patrol car. Upper parts of Maui are without power. Widespread tree damage has been reported. Hawaii Volcanoes - The park still had power, but was being buffeted by heavy rains and winds ranging from about 35 mph at 4,000 feet and over 65 mph at the summit. Park management was considering a closure if conditions worsened. Kalaupapa - The park closed. Kaloko-Honokohau - The road to the fishpond was closed, as was the visitor center. The park reported “hard hat” conditions. Puukohola Heiau - No closures had been instituted, but big choppy waves were already coming ashore. Pu`uhonua O Honaunau - The picnic area and royal grounds were closed due to flooding and there was considerable aerial debris. Only the visitor center remained open. [Karen Newton, with reports from Hawaiian parks] Olympic NP Update On Recovery From Storm Impacts The park continues to recover from the severe storm that struck the region earlier this week. As park crews gain access to roads and facilities, additional damage has been discovered in some areas, while other roads have reopened. Phone and electrical service are still out in the park's western areas. A summary of known damage follows: Hurricane Ridge Road - A major slide near the Switchback Trail brought mud, debris and water over the road. Once the slide was cleared, workers were able to spot several areas of extensive damage to the road shoulder along the downhill lane. The road will remain closed this weekend to allow crews to fully assess the damage and begin repairs. The Heart O' the Hills campground is closed due to earlier damage from the November 12th windstorm. Quinault Valley - The North Shore and South Shore Quinault Roads are closed due to downed trees and electrical lines. Crews are continuing to cut their way through the trees to reopen the roads. There is no electrical or phone service at Quinault. The North Fork and Graves Creek Roads remain closed and have not been assessed yet. Hoh Road - The Hoh Road is closed at its intersection with Highway 101. One lane of the road was washed out within Jefferson County; minor damage has also occurred within the park. Elwha - The Olympic Hot Springs Road, the Whiskey Bend Road and Elwha campground have all reopened. Elwha Valley's Altair campground was not as severely damaged as initially thought; receding floodwaters have revealed many sites to be damaged by the flooding, but no sites or structures were lost. The Altair campground is closed throughout the winter season. Lake Crescent area - Highway 101 has reopened in the Lake Crescent area. Both the East Beach and Camp David Junior roads are open and cleared. Sol Duc Road - The Sol Duc Road remains closed due to a mudslide about a half-mile south of Salmon Cascades. Mora - The Mora area has reopened, including the Mora campground. Ozette - The Ozette area is closed with downed trees and power lines. Dosewallips, Staircase and Queets Roads - The roads remain closed due to previous damage and unsafe conditions. Deer Park Road - The road is closed for the season. Groups and individuals interested in volunteering to help the park with storm recovery are urged to check the park's website. Once damage assessments are complete, volunteer opportunities will be posted at HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/olym" http://www.nps.gov/olym . For current road information, people should call the Olympic National Park recorded road and weather information line at 360-565-3131. [Barb Maynes, Public Affairs Officer] OTHER NEWS The following stories (among others) can be read on InsideNPS (internal) or NPS Digest (external): The White House/President's Park - President Bush will officially light the National Christmas Tree this afternoon on the Ellipse south of the White House. The ceremony preceding the lighting begins at 5 p.m. EST. HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6044" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6044 Environmental Response Program - The NPS environmental response program is currently developing two new tools to assist parks in response preparedness planning - one for oil spill contingency planning and one for all-hazards emergency planning. Parks are being sought to pilot test these guides. HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6041" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6041 Golden Spike NHS - A ceremony was held in November to commemorate the release of the new "Crossroads of the West" quarter, which features the locomotives Jupiter and #119 facing the golden spike that joined the tracks of the nation's first transcontinental railroad in 1869. Photo. HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=6002" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=6002 * * * * * Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov, 570-686-3828). --- ### --- |