National Park Service officials at California’s Joshua Tree National Park are warning potential visitors to reconsider their plans, as heavy rain is forecast in the area ahead of the Labor Day weekend.
In an alert posted on the agency’s webpage on August 26, officials wrote the park recently received “heavy rain causing flooding inside and along the park boundary.” Visitors are encouraged to drive safely as “sand and debris could be present on roadways.”
The Oasis of Mara, a short and often-visited trail located in Twentynine Palms at Joshua Tree National Park Headquarters, remains closed until further notice due to “storm damage and unstable conditions,” Meg Rockwell, a park spokesperson, told Outside.
“Joshua Tree National Park is in the Mojave Desert. As such, deserts often experience a Monsoon season, a time of year when storms will release intense amounts of water fast, causing flash flooding and high winds. The storms are intense but short,” Rockwell said.
In a photo shared to the Joshua Tree Instagram story, the park noted a heavy storm in the area on Tuesday afternoon.
“Avoid unnecessary travel if conditions become unsafe. Do not drive through moving water,” the park service wrote.
Now-deleted videos shared to the Joshua Tree National Park Instagram stories showed “high winds and storms, along with flooded, debris-strewn roadways,” reported SFGATE.
Though rare, desert storms and flooding can be deadly.
“The intensity of rain events in Joshua Tree can range from small pooling on roads and trails to dangerous flash floods,” warns the NPS on its website.
“Flash floods are a sudden increase in the depth and speed of water and can occur in previously bone dry areas, including canyons, trails, roads, and washes,” the warning continues. “Floodwaters can carry large debris like tree trunks and boulders. Flash floods can occur at any time in Joshua Tree National Park and are most common in the late summer and early fall.”
A slight chance of rain is expected through Thursday, with showers and thunderstorms expected on September 1, according to the park’s weather prediction. If a trip to Joshua Tree is still in your holiday forecast, Park Service officials advise visitors to watch for changing weather and a buildup of clouds, both of which could indicate flash flooding. In the event of moving water, have a plan and a map of the park exits, and always carry a safety kit.
“Turn around, don’t drown,” advises NPS, adding the following precautions:
- Stay out of the water. Do not attempt to cross or enter moving water
- Rushing water is incredibly powerful. A few inches of rapidly moving water can move a car or knock you off your feet
- Stay flexible and be prepared to change your plans if there is a potential for flooding. Turn around, don’t drown
- Flash floods happen quickly, so react quickly. Head for higher ground immediately
- Be patient, flooding is dangerous, but may subside within a matter of hours
The West Entrance to the park is also closed to all vehicle traffic until August 29, while a portion of the Black Rock Trailhead will remain closed until September 30 for repairs.
Rockwell added that visitors to the park should “continue to monitor forecasts for any severe weather that may pop up in the desert.” Hazards aside from rushing or water may also persist.
During wetter weather, water encourages tortoises to be more active, and they can appear to be rocks on the road.
“Be tortoise aware. Do not speed and check under vehicles before driving away,” said Rockwell.
The post Visiting Joshua Tree This Labor Day? You May Want to Reconsider. appeared first on Outside Online.
