Ice jams, rapid snowmelt flood homes, businesses and roads across Alaska

Flooding in Alaska has inundated many homes, with some homes blown off their foundations by large chunks of ice, and closed one of the east-west highways to one lane.

Ice jams in the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers caused most of the damage across a large swath of Alaska, while the rapid melting of the snowpack caused Moose Creek to flood near Glennallen. The flooding caused delays for motorists on the Glenn Highway that connects Anchorage to the east, including Canada.

Many homes and buildings were flooded in Glennallen – a town about 290 kilometers northeast of Anchorage – including a grocery store.

The sewer system in Glennallen was affected by flooding and portable restrooms were brought in until they could be repaired, the Alaska Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said in a statement.

“Large pumps are clearing flooded areas, gravel is being laid to repair emergency access, and emergency sewer repairs are underway,” the statement said.

Glenn Road is expected to remain open, with pilot cars escorting motorists through flooded areas.

‘Too hot, too fast’

Glennallen resident Isaac Beshaw told Anchorage television station KTUU that the snowpack usually melts slowly but this year’s warm temperatures are speeding it up.

“This year it got so hot, so fast, everything, wherever it came from, just came down and flooded everything,” he said.

Drone video from KTUU shows numerous submerged cars, trucks and trailers, with oil and gas sheens visible in the standing water.

Ice jams in the Yukon and Kuskokwim broke over the weekend, sending huge chunks – some up to 3.6 meters – and water into riverside communities.

Along the Yukon River in the eastern part of the state, 15 homes in the Circle community were flooded and at least three were pushed off their foundations, emergency management officials said.

Flooding concerns were reported in two other Yukon River communities, including two flooded homes in Eagle and another in Fort Yukon.

Along the Kuskokwim River in southwest Alaska, several homes were flooded and at least four were removed from their foundations in Crooked Creek. The runway opened, and drinking water, supplies and two medical professionals were flown into the village.

Shelters are organized in schools

All Crooked Creek residents are reported to be safe and accounted for, and the clinic is operational, emergency
management agency said. There is a shelter in the school.

A generator and personnel to repair the village well were also dispatched, and power was partially restored.

Flood damage could cause damage in Crooked Creek and Circle, each of which has less than 100 residents. Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a disaster declaration for both communities, along with Eagle and Glennallen.

At least two homes in Red Devil, another Kuskokwim River community, also flooded.