Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images
By: The opinion
Death Valley is known for breaking records when it comes to warm temperatures, but on Sunday, Tropical Storm Hilary dumped 2.2 inches of rain on the area, breaking the record for the all-time wettest in Death Valley.
“The record rain came in two squalls, with about an inch of rain Sunday morning and another inch of rain Sunday night. Preliminary data from the National Weather Service’s official rain gauge at Furnace Creek recorded 2.20 inches of rain, the park’s average annual rainfall,” a spokesperson said in a statement Monday.
What an incredible day. We totaled 2.31″ of rain here on the east side of Death Valley. Not as much as many of our neighbors. While our roads are closed right now we were spared critical infrastructure damage.
So I spent the day riding my bike around and flying the drone. pic.twitter.com/TXI73Vxsfq
— Patrick Donnelly (@bitterwaterblue) August 22, 2023
Death Valley National Park remained closed Monday due to mud and debris flows and the threat of flash floods. Even once the park reopens, getting around can be difficult. Park officials said the shoulders of several roads have been undermined or washed away.
It was reported that approximately 400 residents, travelers and employees are currently sheltering in Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells and Panamint Springs until roads are safe again.
The National Park Service (NPS) and California Highway Patrol are searching for people stranded in more remote areas of the park, and NPS crews are assessing ground impacts throughout the park.
Sunday also set a new record for the wettest August day in Palm Springs, San Diego and downtown Los Angeles.
Hilary’s highest rainfall total was at Upper Mission Creek in San Bernardino County, where 13 inches of rain was recorded.
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