More flash floods have destroyed the roads of yet another National Park; this time, heavy rains washed away many roads within Mojave National Preserve in southern California, which runs along the California/Nevada border outside of Las Vegas.
“Due to flash flooding and road washout ,some major paved park roads are currently closed. Crews are assessing the situation and working to reopen when safe for the public,” said park authorities in a statement released yesterday.
Eight of 9 roads through the park are closed due to assorted damage. Even the ninth that is open, Zzyzx Road, has damage with “some wash out” and “short rough section of gravel” left. The Zzyzx Road sign has become a bit of a tourist attraction of itself along I-15, the major highway that connects Las Vegas to the Los Angeles metro area.
Other roads that are too damaged to open include Black Canyon Road, which has areas of soft sand and washouts, Essex Road which is missing shoulder areas and has debris covering the road, Kelbaker Road which is completely washed out, and Cima Road which has debris on the roads. Ivanpah, Cedar Canyon, and Morningstar Mine Roads are also closed.
Mojave isn’t the only National Park Service operated park to be badly damaged by flash floods. In June, flash floods destroyed many roads and buildings in Yellowstone National Park, forcing a long-term closure for many parts of that park too.
