Storm warning closes key route to Yosemite

A stretch of road leading into a popular national park has shut down after heavy rain and warnings of landslides made travel unsafe. The closure covers a 10-mile section of State Route 140 in Mariposa County, cutting off access from Midpines to El Portal at 7 p. m. on Monday. Officials say the move protects drivers from unstable slopes that have already caused problems this year.This route is notorious for rockslides, especially where it cuts through a steep canyon near the Merced River. Just last week, a slide measuring about 100 dump trucks' worth of rock buried both lanes near Briceburg. The same stretch faced similar trouble in March 2023, leaving locals struggling to get to work and hurting nearby shops that depend on park visitors. Repair crews plan to inspect the damage once the storm passes. Travelers have a few ways to stay updated: a map app shows live conditions, radio stations broadcast alerts at 530 AM, 1610 AM, or 1670 AM, or a hotline at 800-427-ROAD provides voice updates.