Winter Storm Riley downed trees and power lines at Delaware Water Gap NRA/NPS

Power outages. Downed trees across not just hiking trails but also roads. And another storm forecast to hit Wednesday. Those are the realities facing units of the National Park System on the East Coast.

Winter Storm Riley pounded some units last weekend. Shenandoah National Park in Virginia had so many downed trees that only a portion of the iconic Skyline Drive was open to motorists. Buildings and staircases were damaged at Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts. At Prince William Forest Park in Virginia the storm's high winds downed numerous trees as well as power lines and led to damage to some of the historic cabin camps.

At Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, high winds and heavy snows knocked out power to the park and downed trees. 

"Conditions could change quickly with the next storm quickly approaching, but I wanted to get you an update while I can, especially regarding roads and access," Kathleen Sandt wrote in an email Tuesday evening from Delaware Water Gap NRA. "Power remains out in the park and internet access has been limited. All offices are closed at least through Thursday."

As of Tuesday evening, current road closures in the NRA in Pennsylvania included:

* River Road

* Route 209 was closed from Route 739 to Milford due to downed trees and power lines.

“Our road crews are working closely with Met Ed to remove fallen trees and clear snow as they lift downed wires in an effort to get the road opened as soon as possible. It is a two-pronged effort,” said John Lambert, the NRA's chief of maintenance.

* Most side roads that lead to Route 209 have trees down that prevent passage. The gates at their intersections with Route 209 have been closed.

Current Road Closures on the New Jersey side of the NRA include:

* Old Mine Road was closed from the NPS boundary with Worthington State Forest to Millbrook Village and was inaccessible from the south through Worthington State Forest.

* Old Mine Road was closed in the vicinity of Namanock Recreation Site due to downed trees on power lines.

* Route 615 was closed from Pompey Ridge to Flatbrookville due to downed trees on power lines.

With a second storm approaching Wednesday, area residents should expect that additional road closures may be implemented.

“We will make every attempt possible to open Route 209 and keep it open as long as conditions permit,” said Chief Lambert. “But if conditions become unsafe for our employees and the public, we will close roads and facilities until conditions improve and we can get things cleared and safe for passage.”

Heavy snow and high winds were predicted for the area throughout the day Wednesday. 

At Cape Cod, Maintenance Chief Karst Hoogeboom said Riley's high winds and heavy rains damaged "roofs of five park houses badly, the beach access stairs at Marconi were destroyed, some road damage, lots of trees blown down - some very large."

Power also was knocked out at the national seashore for a time, and floodwaters undercut a restroom building, and there was "more loss of parking pavement at Herring Cove and a lot of erosion. Getting ready for the next big storm on Wednesday."

Down in Virginia at Prince William Forest Park, damage from Riley was expected to keep most of the park closed for two-three weeks.

Cabins at Prince William Forest Park were damaged by trees downed by Winter Storm Riley/NPS

"After addressing the most immediate safety risks, crews will work strategically to begin reopening the most heavily used areas of the park," said Superintendent Tanya Gossett. "The Prince William Forest RV Campground on Rt. 234 remains open, but some areas within the campground are currently closed off.

“The safety of our visitors and staff is our absolute first priority. Our crews are working with determination to clear hazardous trees from roads and trails and to replace electrical lines in campgrounds, cabin camps and picnic areas, so the public can safely enjoy the park.”

According to park staff, "(D)amage caused by last weekend’s windstorm in Prince William Forest Park is significantly greater than other recent storms, including Hurricanes Isabel and Sandy and the 2012 derecho. Shallow-rooted trees, such as the Virginia pines throughout the park, had difficulty withstanding the 60-plus mph wind gusts the park experienced. Since Saturday, crews have removed about 500 trees from park roads."