Mojave Desert Flooding: SR-178 Road Closures and Travel Warnings for Death Valley

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Last night, severe flash flooding hit the Mojave Desert, forcing partial closure of Highway SR-178. According to CHP and Caltrans, eastbound traffic is blocked at the Kern and San Bernardino county line, with additional closures reported near the SR-178 and Pinnacle Road intersection. There is no official timeline for reopening.

California NEWS — RusCali — Despite the closures, Searles Valley remains accessible, but the roads are covered with sand, rocks, and standing water.

At the entrance to Inyo County, officials placed a sign reading “Road closed due to flash flooding.”

Last night, severe flash #flooding hit the #Mojave Desert, forcing partial closure of Highway SR-178.
According to #CHP and Caltrans, eastbound traffic is blocked at the #Kern and #SanBernardinocounty line, with additional closures reported near the SR-178. pic.twitter.com/oP7NviH3lP
— RusCali (@RusCalicom) September 19, 2025

Currently, only trucks can safely pass through, while local residents continue traveling to work and home. Tourists, however, are turning their trailers back toward Ridgecrest.

Traveling on Highway 178 toward Death Valley under these conditions is highly discouraged. Vehicles can easily get stuck in deep sand and water, suspension and undercarriage damage is likely due to washouts and scattered rocks, and unreliable cell service makes waiting for roadside assistance potentially dangerous. Even 4×4 vehicles face serious challenges, while standard cars stand little chance of making it through safely. On top of that, sudden new flash floods can occur after short bursts of rain, creating further hazards.

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For safety, avoid traveling to Death Valley via SR-178 for now. Always check official updates before setting out. Reliable sources include:

Caltrans Road Information – roads.dot.ca.gov or phone 1-800-427-7623
Inyo County Public Works / Road Department – inyocounty.us, phone (760) 878-0212 or (760) 878-0201
Death Valley Park Rangers – phone (760) 786-3244
Inyo County Road Open/Closed Status Map – inyocounty.us
Inyo National Forest Current Conditions – fs.usda.gov