A violent storm that swept through Death Valley National Park earlier this week tore the roof off this building and did some other damage in the park/NPS

A violent storm that roared through Death Valley National Park brought high winds that tore the roof off of an historic building, blew out the windows on four vehicles, and left a palm tree ablaze at the Inn at Death Valley (historically called Furnace Creek) after a lightning strike.

The National Park Service estimated that the winds, which lasted only about 10 minutes Monday night, topped 100 mph, according to Superintendent Mike Reynolds. It sent garbage dumpsters rolling across the desert and damaged the roof of a 1930s' CCC era building in the Cow Creek area. Equipment and computers inside the building were protected by personnel, and there was no damage to the interior.

“Lightning strikes were coming fast and furious, when a sudden micro-burst of wind swept through Cow Creek," said Superintendent Reynolds. "We ducked behind the porch pillars to protect ourselves from the wind, and then saw dumpsters blowing down the road.” 

The roofs of five other buildings in the Stovepipe Wells area were also damaged, while the fire in the crown of the palm tree was quickly extinguished.

Micro-bursts are created when rainfall cools the area below a storm as it evaporates, allowing cold air to rush towards the ground.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Alex Boothe said, “The atmosphere during this storm was very dry below the storm cell. The cooled air sinks rapidly and spreads in all directions as it hits the ground.”

For now, the North Highway-Scotty’s Castle Road, Titus Canyon Road, and Mesquite Campground are closed.