By Pepper Fisher
PORT ANGELES, Wash. – On Thursday, January 12, campgrounds and roads in the western part of Olympic National Park were closed due to incoming blustery weather. Reports from the National Weather Service, storm activity in Western Washington had sustained winds around 25mph with gusts around 30mph. The weather watch is likely to continue through Sunday, January 15.
The following campgrounds are closed as of Thursday.
- Quinault Campground
- Queets Campground
- Kalaloch Campground
- Mora Campground
Here’s Park spokesperson Megan Huff.
“We strongly recommend having that situational awareness and being aware of where you are and what is around you and staying safe. Safety is, of course, our number one priority. So, these closures are designed to keep our visitors safe so they can have a good time at Olympic National Park.”
Visitors who were camped at these locations were offered available space at alternative park campgrounds that remain open.
Due to concerns about potential flooding or high winds, which may bring trees down in these areas, current road closures include;
- Upper and Lower Queets Roads
- Graves Creek Road
- North Fork Quinault Road
- Mora Road beyond the Mora Ranger Station
They are expected to reopen once park staff determine that conditions are safe for visitor use.
Forecasts also indicate that on Thursday, coastal areas will experience high surf, creating dangerous swimming and surfing conditions. Other areas of Western Washington may experience river flooding. Huff said conditions can be especially dangerous along the coast.
“Yes. Absolutely. We highly strongly recommend that visitors be aware of their surroundings at all times wherever they are in the park, but especially if they’re visiting the coast during stormy weather and, in particular, being aware of where those logs are and not playing on the logs.”
For more information on visiting the park and current conditions, visit www.nps.gov/olym or call (360) 565-3131.