The National Park Service (NPS) issued a safety advisory Tuesday for visitors to Joshua Tree National Park after heavy thunderstorms and flooding, warning that debris may be present on roadways.
Why It Matters
Conditions created by inclement weather presented a potential hazard for drivers at the park, which saw almost three million visitors in 2024, according to the NPS.
What To Know
Notices on the NPS website said that the park had received heavy rain which had caused flooding both inside and along its boundary.
“At this moment, the Oasis of Mara is closed due to current conditions,” read the alert, posted August 26, which also urged visitors to drive safely due to the possibility for sand and debris on roadways.
The National Weather Service (NWS) said Wednesday that isolated showers would be possible in southeast and southwest California on Wednesday and Thursday, as a push of moisture moves into the region from Tropical Storm Juliette.
In a separate notice, the NPS said that a portion of the Black Rock Canyon trail was also scheduled to be closed for repairs until September 30. Hikers would be directed to a temporary detour while the project is ongoing, the NPS said.
Additionally, the west entrance of the park will be closed to vehicle traffic through 6 p.m. August 29, with visitors directed to instead use the north or south entrances.
Joshua Tree National Park, located in Southern California, straddles the Mojave (“high desert”) and Colorado (“low desert”) ecosystems. It features sandy plains dotted with giant yuccas in the west and sparse terrain with cholla and ocotillo cacti flowering in the east.
What People Are Saying
Joshua Tree National Park said on Instagram on Tuesday: “Heavy thunderstorms hit the park yesterday. Drive safely! There may be debris on the roadways…Another heavy storm is forecast between 2-5 p.m. today. Avoid unnecessary travel if conditions become unsafe. Do not drive through moving water.”
The National Weather Service (NWS) said in a post on X, Wednesday: “Most will stay dry today, but some isolated showers and storms are possible, mainly in southeast California and southwest Arizona. Better chances (20-40%), out west, move in during the overnight/early morning hours Thursday.”
What Happens Next
In its forecast for the area, the NWS said there would be a “slight chance” of showers before 2 p.m. and after 4 p.m. There is a 20 percent chance of precipitation on Wednesday, according to the agency.
For Thursday, there is a 40 percent chance of showers, the NWS said.
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