Stormy Weather Forces Mother Lode Road Closures

Phoenix Lake, CA — The stormy weather has prompted the closure of two roads in the Chinese Camp area of Tuolumne County due to flooding.

Tuolumne County Community Resources officials report that unsafe driving conditions have forced the shutdown of Red Hills Road between Highway 49 and J59/La Grange Road. Also, Simms Road is closed from Highway 49 to Red Hills Road. Road officials did not give any estimated time as to when those stretches of roadway will reopen.

Additionally, Yosemite National Park officials are also announcing the closure of three roadways. Wawona, El Portal, and Big Oak Flat roads will close no later than midnight tonight, but could close earlier as a winter storm barrels down on the park. Wawona Road will be closed northbound at Chilnualna Falls Road and southbound at Bridalveil Falls. El Portal Road will be gated at the park line and the Big Oak Flat Road intersection. Also, Big Oak Flat Rd will be gated above Foresta and at the Big Oak Flat entrance.

Park officials note that road crews will assess conditions on those roadways early Thursday morning to decide when the reopened will reopen.