NPS MORNING REPORT (Victims ID'd)
Posted by C.O.Jones on August 19, 2004 at 13:13:40:
Death Valley National Park (CA)
Cleanup Efforts Continue Following Flash Floods
The park, which was closed on Monday following major flooding from all-night rains, remains closed. Yesterday’s developments:
· The two people killed in the flood have been identified as Bernherd Reith, 48, and his mother, Tabea Reith, 71, both of Downey, California. They died when water, mud and debris struck their vehicle as they were traveling on Highway 190. The Inyo County coroner is asking the public for assistance in locating next of kin. Any reader who can help should call deputy coroner Robert Franke at 760-876-4665.
· Park staff are continuing work on repairs to critical infrastructure in the Furnace Creek area. Crews are repairing the main water line, which suffered at least two breaks. The National Park Service and Caltrans are working to repair sections of Highway 190. Work is currently underway on the section of the road that links Furnace Creek with Highway 127.
· Superintendent J.T. Reynolds and the superintendent of the local school district have agreed to postpone the start of the school year from Monday, August 23rd, to Monday, August 30th.
NPS crews are continuing to assess damage in other areas of the park. Yesterday’s efforts focused on roads in three areas – the Emigrant to Wildrose section of Emigrant Canyon Road, the Grapevine to Scotty’s Castle, and Scotty’s Castle to Scotty’s Junction.
[Submitted by Holly Bundock, Public Affairs, Pacific West Regional Office; Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs, Lake Mead NRA]