Mammoth Cave National Park Remains Closed Due to Ice Storm

An ice storm that transformed into a snowstorm early Wednesday has prompted officials to keep Mammoth Cave National Park closed so crews can deal with downed trees and power lines.

Superintendent Patrick Reed says the park will remain closed until further notice. He says ice-coated trees and power lines continue to fall and block roadways. For a while this morning park workers suspended their clean-up efforts due to safety concerns.

All roads through the park, including Hwy 70, are closed and barricaded. Because of increasingly hazardous conditions, no one should attempt to enter the park.

The national park has received nearly 4 inches of rain in the last two days. Freezing temperatures caused trees and power lines to be coated in as much as 1/2 inch of ice. The rain changed to heavy, blowing snow Wednesday morning.