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OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, Wash. - The National Park Service announced Saturday the Hoh Rain Forest area of the Olympic National Park would be shut down temporarily. By early afternoon, the rainforest area has been reopened.
Big picture view:
Heavy rain Friday night, with more expected throughout parts of Saturday, prompted the closure. More than three inches of rain complicated road access to the area.
Construction crews have been working on the Jefferson County culvert project on the Upper Hoh Road reportedly experienced backup flooding on the morning of Aug. 16.
The Upper Hoh Road connects Highway 101 to the national park's boundary. The road provides the only access to the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, campground, picnic area, and trailheads, according to the National Park Service.
What they're saying:
"The Hoh area will reopen as soon as Jefferson County partners assess the construction site and confirm the temporary bypass road is safe for travel," said a representative with the NPS.
The park service's website showed an estimated same-day reopening as of 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, however exact time frames were not listed.
WA Gov. Bob Ferguson pledges $650K to reopen Hoh Rainforest
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson plans to use $623,000 from the state’s Strategic Reserve fund to fix the road leading to the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park.
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The Source: Information in this story came from the National Park Service.