(AP) - A series of recent storms has dropped more than 3 inches of rain on Death Valley, causing millions of dollars' worth of damage to the normally parched 3.3-million-acre National Park.
The Press Enterprise reports that water rushed down the canyon, snapping power poles and covering historic buildings in mud. Several of the park's attractions will close during a major cleanup effort.
Park spokeswoman Abby Wines says Scotty's Castle, a Spanish-style mansion that offers guided tours, may not reopen until well into 2016. Wines says the park's total damage estimate is $20 million.
Death Valley National Park usually gets just 2 inches of rain a year and only 0.07 inch in October.
According to Wines, this is the worst flood to hit Death Valley since August 2004.
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