Southcentral rivers flooding with more heavy rain on the way
Flood warning for Susitna Valley rivers
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - A flood warning has been issued for the Susitna Valley’s Yentna, Skwentna, and Susitna rivers as flooding has been noted along the Yentna and Skwentna rivers Monday afternoon, impacting lodges and other properties. The warning is in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday.
A total of 1 to 3 feet of water is reported over banks. River forecasters warn that water levels are higher than they have been in about a decade. A flood watch encompasses Prince William Sound. The communities of Girdwood, Whittier, Moose Pass, Seward, Thompson Pass and Cordova — all coastal areas — could get 3 to 5 inches of rain through Wednesday evening. Rivers and streams are already swollen, watching water levels will be critical for residents living along or near streams, rivers or creeks, or in poor drainage areas.
High surf advisories were in effect for the north coast, with west winds producing high waves and leading to beach erosion. The advisory will expire Monday at midnight.
An extensive flood watch stretches across the Brooks Range, where rains are keeping rivers, creeks, and streams at high levels. In fact, the Delta, Tanana, and Nenana rivers will see high water for the next several days.
The town of Nenana could see some flooding from the Nenana River and small rivers and streams in the Denali area could also see flooding. Mud and rock slides are possible along the south slopes of the Alaska Range between Isabell Pass and Denali through midweek. A flood advisory is issued for the Tanana River from Delta Junction to Fairbanks. The river is expected to crest at 25.1 feet — the flood stage is 24.6 feet.
The southeast region of Alaska saw sunshine to start off the work week, with summery conditions generating 70s for daytime highs, and the hot spot for the state was in this part of the state Monday too. That was Klawock, where it hit 80 degrees! While that is great, and this part of the state has seen a banner run of sun this month, rain will show up by Tuesday night, along with cooler days.
The cold spot was Kaltag registering a low of 29 degrees.
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