“Death Valley is an incredible place of extremes,” said park superintendent Mike Reynolds in a statement “It is the hottest place in the world, and the driest place in North America.” Death Valley National Park has been hit by a torrential downpour, triggering flash floods that left around 1,000 people stranded. Some 500 visitors and 500 park staff at the California hotspot couldn't exit the area due to extensive damage to roads and other critical infrastructure, according to the National Park Service (NPS).