Flood Damage Estimated At $30 Million

Congressman Norm Dicks toured flood-damaged areas at Mount Rainier on November 21st. Dicks traveled the Nisqually Road and saw maintenance employees at work repairing utilities and rebuilding the park road. He also saw the three locations on the road that still need substantial work before the park can reopen. In a meeting with park employees, Dicks voiced his strong commitment to helping the NPS obtain funding for flood repairs. Based on input from the Federal Highways Administration, superintendent Dave Uberuaga estimates the cost of flood repair will be $30 million. It is unlikely that Paradise, the primary winter destination in the park, will reopen in time for the Christmas holiday. Park employees still hope to be able to return to their offices in Longmire before 2007. Regional media interest has been strong.