LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Death Valley National Park is working through damage caused by flash floods, and sections of Highway 190 were closed through the park for most of the day.
A tweet from Caltrans just before 5 p.m. indicates Highway 190 is now fully reopened.
Southwest of Death Valley, Mojave National Preserve roads are closed while crews assess damage from weekend flooding.
A photo released by the National Park Service shows a car along Highway 190 near Stovepipe Wells after it was swept off the road and buried in rocks and mud halfway up the doors.
“We are strongly cautioning any travelers to this area of continued debris on roadways and a continued risk of floods as storms are forecasted for this area through Thursday,” according to a park spokesman.
No injuries have been reported.
Jeremy Lindenfeld contacted 8 News Now with more photos from the Death Valley area, taken on California Highway 127 along the Nevada border. The highway runs along the eastern border of the park.
California Highway 127. (Photo: Jeremy Lindenfeld — @jeremotographs on Twitter) 
California Highway 127. (Photo: Jeremy Lindenfeld — @jeremotographs on Twitter) 
California Highway 127. (Photo: Jeremy Lindenfeld — @jeremotographs on Twitter) 
California Highway 127. (Photo: Jeremy Lindenfeld — @jeremotographs on Twitter) 
California Highway 127. (Photo: Jeremy Lindenfeld — @jeremotographs on Twitter) 
California Highway 127. (Photo: Jeremy Lindenfeld — @jeremotographs on Twitter) 
California Highway 127. (Photo: Jeremy Lindenfeld — @jeremotographs on Twitter) 
California Highway 127. (Photo: Jeremy Lindenfeld — @jeremotographs on Twitter)
Sections of Highway 190, and North Highway (Scotty’s Castle Road), Lower Wildrose Road, Dantes View and Badwater are closed due to flooding and debris, according to the National Park Service. “It is likely that additional roads are impassable. Closures subject to change with changing conditions,” the site reports.
Artists Drive and 20 Mule Team Canyon are also listed as closed due to flooding and debris. Park officials say to assume all unpaved roads are impassable.
Road crews are currently working to remove debris and assess damage. “We understand there was damage at Towne Pass (between Stovepipe Wells and Panamint Springs Resort) as well as just outside the park boundary near Death Valley Junction, and further west of the park between the western park entrance and Olancha,” according to a park spokesman on Monday.
The road to Ubehebe Crater and Scotty’s Castle has some asphalt damage. A flood in October of 2015 damaged structures at Scotty’s Castle, and the park has been working to restore the buildings and reopen the site to tourists.
Park officials said damage appears to be limited to roads.
At Mojave National Preserve, the park listed the following closures:
| Road | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black Canyon Road | CLOSED | Some areas of soft sand and washouts from recent rains 4WD recommended |
| Essex Road | CLOSED | Watch for missing shoulder areas and debris on roadway south of Hole in the Wall area |
| Ivanpah Road | CLOSED | |
| Kelbaker Road | CLOSED | Parts of roadway completely washed out. Impassable to all vehicles. |
| Cedar Canyon | CLOSED | 4WD recommended due to washouts and soft sand |
| Kelso-Cima Road | CLOSED | Obey 55 mph speed limit- Dips in road bed are not designed for higher speeds |
| Cima Road | CLOSED | Some debris on roadway, use caution |
| Morningstar Mine Road | CLOSED | Please obey posted speed limits to reduce desert tortoise mortalities |
| Zzyzx Road | OPEN | Currently some wash out. Short rough section of gravel. Trespassing prohibited around buildings of Desert Studies Center without prior arrangements. Visit CSU Fullerton Website for more information |
