Severe Weather Forces Park Closures

Date: January 12, 2011

Severe Weather Forces Park Closures

(Kula) Recent and continuing severe weather have caused hazards which forced park staff to temporarily close access to portions of Haleakala National Park. Early this morning, a large boulder collapsed and slid onto the roadway of Crater Road just beyond the 15 mile marker effectively closing the road to traffic. Park staff and sunrise visitors at the summit above the slide were temporarily prevented from descending down Crater Road until park staff cleared the debris by approximately 8:30 a.m. and safely monitored traffic through the area. Additional geologic instability in the same area continued to pose unacceptable risks which forced park staff to re-close Crater Road due to the high rock slide hazard. All visitor traffic (including commercial use traffic) is stopped at the Headquarters Visitors Center until further notice. Campers at Hosmer Grove campground were encouraged to evacuate the campground in response to local flood warnings in adjacent streams and storm drain swales.  Severe weather reported by park staff working in the summit valley also prompted Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum to temporarily close the backcountry of the park. Multiple trails and the park's popular backcountry cabins are affected by the temporary closure. As of this report, the National Weather Service has issued multiple hazardous weather conditions including Flash Flood Warnings, Flash Flood Watches and Flood advisories which apply to the park. Superintendant Sarah Creachbaum added, "The conditions in the park pose unacceptable risks to visitors and park staff. Public and park staff safety is or primary concern under these conditions."

While no damages or injuries have been reported or recorded within the park, park officials will continue to monitor conditions in the park.