Date: November 29, 2014
Contact: Denise Germann, 406 888 5838
A winter storm with very strong winds and large amounts of snow moved across
the park late Friday night. Park crews
are assessing the impacts and damage from the storm.
Park access is limited at this time due to down trees and snow fall, and
the Apgar Visitor Center is closed for the remainder of today, Saturday,
November 29.The Going-to-the-Sun Road
is closed at the foot of Lake McDonald.
Visitor access is very limited, and visitors are encouraged to postpone
their visit to the park, specifically through the West Glacier entrance, until
access can be restored, and safety concerns are addressed.
Numerous trees fell on approximately 20 structures in the park housing
area near park headquarters on the west side of the park.Six residence structures sustained structural
damage, and one park employee family has been displaced from their home.A government vehicle was severely damaged
from tree fall as well.No injuries have
been reported.
The full extent of the impacts from the winter storm are unknown at this
time.Park crews are prioritizing their
response as there is damage due to tree fall, inaccessible roads due to snow, blowing
snow and down trees, electrical power outages, and continued winter weather
conditions.
Snow accumulation on the east side of the park is believed to be
approximately two feet at St. Mary and approximately 18-20 inches at East
Glacier.Snow accumulations are high and blowing snow
conditions are reported in the North Fork and Many Glacier areas too.
