Yosemite National Park.Photo: Yosemite National Park/AP/Shutterstock
Yosemite National Park has been temporarily closed after heavy winds toppled its towering trees, crushing cars, bridges and buildings.
The 1,200-square-mile park inside California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains will remain closedthrough at least Tuesdayas crews work to assess damage, repair facilities and clear downed trees.
A boardwalk and bathroom installed during a $40 million restoration in 2018 were among the facilities destroyed, park spokesman Scott Gediman told theSacramento Bee.
Yosemite National Park/AP/Shutterstock
He added that at least two giant sequoias fell in the lower grove of Yosemite’s Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias during the Mono Wind event, which can often seewinds of 50-100 mph.
Mariposa Groveis home to many of the park’s more than 500 massive, ancient giant sequoias. The area reopened in 2018 following a large-scale restoration effort.
High winds began in California on Monday and traveled throughout the state, causing about 300,000 homes and businesses to lose power, theAssociated Pressreported.
Yosemite National Park.Yosemite National Park/AP/Shutterstock
When Yosemite does reopen, visitors will be able to enter using El Portal Road, Big Oak Flat Road and Hetch Hetchy Road. It’ll still only be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, in keeping with the area’s stay-at-home order, and lodging and campgrounds remained closed.
Areas south of Yosemite Valley, including Badger Pass, Wawona, Mariposa Grove, South Entrance and Wawona Road, will stay closed until further notice.
source: people.com
