Yosemite National Park is closed due to a power outage

TUOLUMNE COUNTY, California

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Action News traveled to Tuolumne County, where about 500 visitors were escorted out - through Highway 120.

The other two exits, Highways 140 and 41 -- are impassable. One Australian visitor spent less than 24 hours inside before being asked to leave.

The last time Yosemite closed was in 1997 because of a major flood.

Park officials hope to have the park back open by Tuesday, but as of Monday night, all roads remain closed.

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Park officials say visitors are being escorted out of the park because power is out across the Yosemite Valley floor. Vehicles are being escorted out along Highway 120.

This is the first time Yosemite has been completely closed in more than 14-years.

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PRESS RELEASE: All Roads into Yosemite National Park Temporarily Closed

All roads leading into Yosemite National Park are temporarily closed due to snow, ice, mudslides, fallen trees and downed power lines. In the last 24 hours, a winter storm has dropped over 3.5 feet of snow throughout the park in areas including Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Crane Flat. Approximately 9 inches has fallen in El Portal. Highways 41 (Wawona Road), 120 (Big Oak Flat Road), and 140 (El Portal Road) into Yosemite National Park are closed at this time due to snowy and icy conditions. Additionally, Caltrans has temporarily closed Highway 140 outside of the park boundary between El Portal and Mid Pines due to mud slides, rockfall, downed power lines, and fallen trees. The Badger Pass Road and the Hetch Hetchy Road are also closed at this time. There is currently a winter storm warning in effect.

Assessment of all roads in Yosemite will occur throughout the day. For 24-hour information for roads within Yosemite National Park please call 209-372-0200. For updates on conditions for roads outside of Yosemite, please call Caltrans at 1-800-427-7623. For information about reservations and accommodations, please call (801) 559-4884. Additional news releases will be sent out as updates are available.

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