Flood Watch in Cascades, Mount Rainier National Park Temporarily Closed

Mount Rainier National Park has issued a temporarily closure midday Tuesday, Nov. 25 due to heavy rains. Park officials say the rains have been washing away snow below 7,500 feet. All park employees and visitors are being evacuated. All roads are closed. (Chinook and Cayuse Passes had already closed yesterday for the season.)

A flood watch is in effect for a number of rivers and Western Washington counties.

Update 11.26.14:

Nisqually Entrance to Longmire will reopen at 8am on 11/26. Roads will be cleared and public access restored. -pw

— MountRainierNPS (@MountRainierNPS) November 26, 2014

Resources for more information

• The park is continuously monitoring rainfall and road conditions. Updated information will be posted on the park's Facebook page and Twitter feed.
• A flood watch is in effect for several park and area rivers.
• Check on the real time river levels throughout the state.
• Check Mount Rainier National Park webcams for a look at the conditions.
  

Hiking and heavy rains

• Though it's common sense, it's worth stating that it's generally not a good idea to hike in areas prone to flooding during an active flood watch.
• If you find yourself hiking during or after very heavy rains, it's a good idea to take a little extra caution and watch your footing around any steep drainages, along hillsides, some shorelines and on snowfields. Drainages around recent fire activity can be particularly unstable to mud and debris flows.
• Rivers can also swell unexpectedly, even this late in the season, so make sure to carefully assess any creek or river crossings.
• If you see a landslide across a trail, let your local ranger station know. You can also report landslides to the Department of Natural Resources.

>> More tips for hiking in the rainy season

>> Late fall hiking tips