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8/29/2015 Updated 12:16PM
In a press release just sent out by Olympic National Park officials, Olympic National Park entry roads and campgrounds have been closed. Wind speeds up to 30+ MPH and gusts up to 70+ MPH have been reported, and numerous downed trees are rumored to be blocking major roads in and around Olympic National Park. With the weather looking to get worse throughout the day, Park officials have closed nearly every aspect of the park. The National Park says they are currently evacuating ALL campgrounds and no new campers will be allowed.
According to officials, Olympic National Park is experiencing high winds across the park. Trees are falling across park roads and Highway 101. Roads and campgrounds may be closed today and tomorrow. Travel to the park is not recommended at this time.
Read the Updated Story from August 30th.
The full text of the Press Release is shown below.
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK News Release
High Winds Lead Downed Trees, Road Closure & Power Outages; Rangers Assessing Damage
Port Angles, Washington – All entry roads into Olympic National Park are currently closed as rangers assess damage from falling trees and help visitors assemble in clearings.
Downed trees have closed most park roads, with reports earlier this hour of winds in excess of 70 miles per hour along the coast and high winds throughout the park.
All park campgrounds are also closed.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
If and when new information becomes available, I will share it. Please continue to monitor this and the Olympic National Park website for all updates. For the most updated info, call the Wilderness Information Center (WIC) phone line at (360) 565 3100, hitting “2” for the latest weather updates.
12:01 PM Update: According to reports from trusted sources, the road to LaPush is also closed due to downed trees. See images from the region here.
2:15 PM Update: The Hood Canal Bridge has been closed. Please follow the link to see if has has reopened. Also, Highway 112 toward Neah Bay has trees across the roadway for 34 miles. Follow the link for updates.
3:15 PM: The Hood Canal Bridge has reopened, but the Port Townsend-Coupeville ferry has been down for the past few hours.
August 30th, 11:00 AM: Areas of the Park are being opened. They include Deer Park, Hurricane Ridge and Sol Duc. Full story here.
Please share this with anyone in the Park, or anyone you know traveling to the region.
Header image from the Quinault Rainforest in Spring of 2014, taken by Douglas Scott of The Outdoor Society.
