Mount Rainier National Park is closed temporarily at the Nisqually entrance as a result of flooding in the Kautz Creek area and the potential for flood damage in other park areas, officials announced Tuesday morning. Heavy rain falling on the significant snowpack at Paradise has created dangerous conditions throughout the park, similar to what occurred when major floods in November 2006 caused widespread damage, including destroying the former Sunshine Point campground. As a precautionary measure, all park visitors on the west side of the park (from the Nisqually entrance east through Longmire and on to Paradise) have been advised to leave the park. Only authorized park employees will remain until conditions stabilize, allowing for an assessment of conditions as well as a determination of any road or infrastructure damage, said Tracy Swartout, the park's acting superintendent. The weather forecast is for continued rain throughout the day, with rain and snow showers projected for Wednesday. Updates are posted through social media on the park's Facebook and Twitter sites and www.nps.gov/mora. Recorded telephone updates are available at 360-569-2211.
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