Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Ice Storm, January 2007, Before and During Clean Up
The entire park is in a Federal Disaster area due to damages from an ice storm that began on January 12, 2007. During the evening of January 12th ice quickly formed on trees and power lines. The park and approximately 75% of NPS employees duty stationed at Wilson¿s Creek and Missouri State University lost power to their homes. By January 13 power was out to most park buildings and downed trees and tree limbs blocked access to roads, buildings, and trails. Ice and rain continued to fall on January 13 through the 14th with total ice accumulations in excess of 1.5 inches.
The park was closed January 13th due to hazardous trees and tree limbs. Many employees were without power for 10 days, some for up to two weeks. Three buildings in the park had no power for two weeks and critical systems were operated with generators. Two buildings still have no power due to downed park owned lines. Park staff combined with Fire Pro staff from Buffalo National Riverways and Ozark Scenic Riverways, and Buffalo National Riverways maintenance personnel worked to establish emergency routes to critical assets and clear hazardous trees and tree limbs from the visitor center and maintenance area. The visitor center was re-opened January 19th. These same staff: removed hazardous trees and tree limbs from 6 miles of road, and three short trails; and cleared emergency routes to an additional 10 miles of trail.
The park 5-mile tour road, all tour road stops, and three short trails (Ray House, Ray Springhouse, and Bloody Hill) were re-opened on February 5th. These are areas of primary historic value, receive the highest visitor use, and are used to accommodate school groups. All remaining roads and trails have emergency routes cleared but are closed to visitors for safety reasons (i.e. hazardous tree limbs). Personnel continue to make building repairs (i.e. plumbing breaks); restore power to buildings; and remove the remaining hazardous limbs from 10 miles of trail, 22 picnic sites, 35 buildings, and 7 miles of fence (lowest priority).
Visitor Center showing library front door;
U.S. National Park Service
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