Hurricane Fran Visits SNP

Hurricane Fran Slams SNP

(Webmaster's note: All trails have now been reopened, except for the Staunton River Trail.)

Shenandoah National Park received an unwelcome visitor on September 6, 1996 when the remnants of Hurricane Fran raged across Virginia. SNP was closed to visitors prior to the storm's arrival. SNP issued a 9/9/96 Press Release giving an overview of storm effects.

9/25/96 Update: All sections of the Skyline Drive and most park facilities have been reopened. Many trails have been cleared, but some remain closed. For details, check the PATC Trails Forum (linked below).

Preliminary assessment of trout stream conditions within the park has been conducted by SNP staff despite severe access problems, and the results thus far are not as bad as might be expected.

First, the good news:

No heavy debris flows have been reported on streams within the Park's boundaries; rainfall was apparently more generalized than that preceding the 7/95 floods, with fewer focal areas of heavy downpour. Slurry effects do not appear widespread, although it remains to be seen whether siltation will affect this fall's spawning. Although there have been no quantitative assessments of stream populations (i.e. electroshock studies) as yet, the fish populations do look good, and the only anecdotal reports from fishermen are positive. Many trees are down, but introduction of large woody debris into streams tends to have a positive effect on fish habitat (more cover, pool formation, etc.). No changes to fishing regulations are expected.

Now, the bad news:

Access to many streams is poor or nonexistent due to downed timber and road damage. Heavy streambed scouring occurred adjacent to Park boundaries, particularly on the West side. Rockingham and Augusta counties were especially hard hit. On the East side, two bridges on the Rapidan (in the Wildlife Management Area) and a good portion of the road were taken out. The recently paved section of the Moorman's road is gone, along with one of the Sugar Hollow bridges.

Parts of Skyline Drive have sustained pavement damage, including undercut edges, in addition to many blockages due to downed trees. The earliest projected dates for opening of any sections of the Drive range from 9/14 to 9/20, with some sections expected to remain closed well into October. No estimates have been released regarding trail reopenings.

Please note that this is a preliminary report, and will be updated as more streams are checked and more current information becomes available.

Special thanks to SNP Resource Manager Bill Cook for providing much of this information, including that from USGS Geologist Ben Morgan, and to all the SNP employees who fought through the debris to check on our beloved Brookie streams. Thanks also to Andy Hiltz of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club for providing fast-breaking news and up-to-date info on the PATC Trails Forum, and to Frank Deviney and Todd Brown.

SNP Voice Mail info is available at (540) 999-3500.

Anyone who would like to assist in clearing and reopening the trails should contact the PATC.

This page is maintained by Bill Britton; send email or use the Guestbook. Last updated: 12/2/98.