This news story about Hurricane Kay-caused waterfalls in Death Valley National Park is based on a September 11, 2022, National Park Service press release. You can read the original release here.
Just over a month after historic 1,000-year rainfall immobilized vehicles and severely damaged roads in Death Valley, the national park has been yet another weather-caused blow this weekend.
On Saturday afternoon, September 10, storms fueled by the remnants of Hurricane Kay caused localized, heavy damage in Death Valley National Park, the National Park Service (NPS) said.
Remnants of Hurricane Kay Cause Heavy Damage and Create Waterfalls in Death Valley National Park
Severe rainfall resulted in a remarkable series of waterfalls along Death Valley National Park’s Badwater Road. Subsequent flooding washed away a section of road.
California highway 190 (CA-190) is closed from CA-136 junction to Stovepipe Wells Village. Badwater Road is fully closed. Many other park roads are still closed from floods five weeks ago.
The flooding across Badwater Road was concentrated from Natural Bridge to Badwater Basin, mileposts 10-16.
Park rangers received warnings about the storm’s path about an hour in advance from the National Weather Service. Rangers warned people to leave the area. One RV was unable to leave until the National Park Service road crew cleared a single administrative lane Sunday morning.
Also on Saturday afternoon, about 40 vehicles were blocked by active flooding on CA-190 west of Towne Pass.
At the same time, a tour bus got its wheels stuck in soft sand while trying to turn around. The bus blocked both lanes of CA-190 for about an hour, east of Stovepipe Wells. Most vehicles were able to get around the bus on the shoulder, but a semi-truck and an RV had to wait.
CA-190 has at least once section of missing pavement across both lanes on the west side of Towne Pass. Caltrans has not provided an estimate for when the road segment will reopen.
Video of Extraordinary Waterfalls on Badwater Road in Death Valley
Video credit: National Park Service (video link)
This is yet another extraordinary weather event across America’s national parks this summer. From extreme heatwaves to unprecedented rainfall and (flash) floods, from Glacier and Yellowstone to Death Valley, Joshua Tree and Zion, the summer of 2022 has been one for the history books.
For the status of CA-190, check quickmap.dot.ca.gov. For overall information on all roads in Death Valley National Park, go to nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.