Death Valley is over 46 degrees for nine days, followed by a power outage

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — After temperatures reached 120 degrees Fahrenheit for nine consecutive days, parts of Death Valley National Park experienced a multi-day power outage, according to the National Park Service.

From July 4 to July 12, Death Valley experienced 47 degrees, followed by a thunderstorm that caused a power outage around 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. According to the NPS, the problem was caused by a power line that runs from a Southern California Edison (SCE) substation to the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, National Park Service (NPS) offices, and employee housing.

SCE has supplied Death Valley with a large generator and the Furnace Creek Visitor Center reopened Monday morning. NPS residences and offices are still without power and affected employees, families and pets have been evacuated to nearby hotels, the NPS said.

The only thing that was of concern to visitors was the closure of the visitor center, as there was no power outage in hotels, restaurants and gas stations in the park.

The average high temperature in Death Valley in July is 117 degrees. However, the recent heat wave set three daily records, according to the NPS, peaking at 130 degrees on July 7. This was the second longest period of high temperatures of 117 degrees or higher in the park, just behind the 10-day period in 1913.

The NPS urges park visitors to stay safe during the summer by avoiding low-elevation hikes after 10 a.m., staying near air-conditioned facilities, drinking plenty of water and eating salty snacks.