NPS Severe Weather and Natural Disaster Response

The National Park Service manages a wide variety of areas across the United States and its territories, with many different types of physical environments and visitor experiences where varying levels of service are required to manage incidents and emergencies.

During severe weather and other natural disasters, the NPS strives to ensure the safety and protection of its visitors, employees, and resources. When the NPS is responding to an ongoing extreme event, this page will provide timely updates about NPS response activities and links to specific information about parks that may be involved.

Check the list of park alerts for additional information about park closures and warnings.

Hurricane Milton

As of October 15, 2024

The national parks listed below have areas that are closed to visitor access due to the storm. Check individual park websites to learn about closures, conditions in the park, and safety information.

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    Muddy brown water rushes through the upper branches of green leafy trees
    The Oconaluftee River in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on September 27 (NPS photo)

    Hurricane Helene

    As of October 21, 2024

    In late September, Hurricane Helene made landfall and continued to trace a path across the Southeast. There were impacts to multiple parks ranging from Florida to Virginia. Beginning September 30, over 400 NPS employees from 37 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, representing 64 parks and offices across the NPS, have been deployed to assist with recovery efforts. Responders are fulfilling a variety of roles to support parks including sawyers, carpenters, arborists, equipment operators, natural and cultural resource specialists and administrative staff. We greatly appreciate the support of everyone who has come out to help and their home units who are covering for them while they are away.

    The national parks listed below have areas that remain closed. Check individual park websites to learn about closures, conditions in the park, and safety information.

    Florida

    Georgia

    North Carolina

    Tennessee

    South Carolina

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      Hurricane Francine

      September 2024
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        Satellite image of Tropical Storm Ernesto
        Satellite image of Tropical Storm Ernesto

        National Weather Service

        Hurricane/Tropical Storm Ernesto

        August 2024
        During the week of August 12, Tropical Storm Ernesto was moving through the Caribbean and became a hurricane later in the week. National parks in Ernesto's path activated their emergency preparation plans prior to the arrival of the storm and, as conditions allow, will assessing damage and address any impacts.

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          Flood waters cover the lower portion of a park sign.
          Flooding at Moores Creek National Battlefield (NPS photo)

          Hurricane/Tropical Storm Debby

          August 2024
          During the week of August 5, Debby moved slowly across Florida, the southeast coast, and the mid-Atlantic as a hurricane and then a tropical storm bringing high winds, heavy rain, and flooding. National parks in Debby's path activated their emergency preparation plans prior to the arrival of the storm and, as conditions allow, have been assessing damage and addressing any impacts.

          Moores Creek National Battlefield in North Carolina closed due to flooding. Check the park website for updates.

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            Winter 2024 Severe Weather

            January 2024

            Many parks across the country experienced mild to significant weather impacts due to winter storms. As roads or facilities may have been closed, visitors were asked to check individual park websites for information about closures, conditions, and important safety information.


            You can also read more about 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017 incidents that affected national parks.


            Coordinating the NPS Response to Severe Weather Events and Natural Disasters

            people sitting around a conference table wtih laptops
            The immediate NPS response for parks significantly impacted by severe weather and other natural disasters is often coordinated by an NPS incident management team.

            NPS Photo

            The immediate NPS response for parks significantly impacted by severe weather and other natural disasters is often coordinated by an NPS incident management team (IMT). An IMT’s work focuses on accounting for and assisting employees at impacted parks, organizing for the recovery work ahead, and bringing in additional staff resources to conduct damage assessments, coordinate debris removal, and provide access to park areas. The NPS also coordinates closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the lead agency for the federal response to natural disasters and severe weather emergencies.

            As the NPS responds to these extreme events, employees remain vigilant and adhere to recommendations and guidelines to reduce the spread of highly infectious diseases. All responders follow recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to stay healthy and reduce the spread of illness. As needed, the NPS Office of Public Health and Office of Risk Management provide guidance, information, and support to help mitigate risk of disease transmission.

            NPS Emergency Response Policy and Authorities

            NPS emergency response efforts are directed by NPS Management Policies, which state, “The saving of human life will take precedence over all other management actions as the National Park Service strives to protect human life and provide for injury-free visits” (Section 8.2.5.1, Visitor Safety and Emergency Response). The NPS ability to respond to incidents is essential to the safety of all who enter NPS areas and is implemented in this policy.

            The NPS also has authority to support emergency response outside of the parks. During times of emergency, the NPS may be asked to provide response to conduct search and rescue, firefighting, or public safety and security. The NPS can provide support for needs involving public works and engineering, public health and medical services, oil and hazardous spill response, and external affairs. In addition, the NPS is one of the support agencies to provide natural and cultural resources and historic preservation functions in the federal government under the National Response Framework.


            Other Federal Resources and Information from FEMA and the CDC

            • The Federal Emergency Management Agency (Department of Homeland Security) (Español) is the lead agency for the federal response to emergencies.
            • USA.gov provides links to the latest available information on relief and response, including preparedness, helping survivors, and other resources. (GobiernoUSA.gov también provee información del gobierno en español.)
            • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information about natural disasters, severe weather, and COVID-19 including guidelines for preparing for hurricanes.
            • For information about tropical weather that may be affecting a park near you, please visit the National Hurricane Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The NHC issues watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of tropical weather.

            Last updated: October 21, 2024