Flash Flooding and High Wind in Alaska, October 20 to 27, 1998

Name: Flash Flooding and High Wind in Alaska, October 20 to 27, 1998
Start: 1998-10-20T07:00
End: 1998-10-27T12:30
Location: Alaska

October 20 to 27, 1998 · NWS AJK · 6 events in 5 counties and zones

19-20. 40 inches of rain in 24 hours.

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $2.3 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 6

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS AJK wrote it up.

Flooding occurred along the Taiya and Skagway Rivers due to heavy rain over Oct.19-20. The Haines ASOS measured 4.40 inches of rain in 24 hours. A Park Service Campground near Haines was flooded, and the highways along the rivers near Skagway were damaged due to erosion. Mass wasting in the Haines area caused major damage to Lutak Road, and several other state roads and trails were washed out.

Event by event

4 high wind, 2 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Lynn Canal / Glacier Bay

When: October 20, 7:00 AM AST to 3:30 PM AST
Where: Lynn Canal / Glacier Bay County, Countywide
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

High Wind, Juneau Borough-Admiralty Island-Icy Strait Area

When: October 20, 9:00 AM AST to 12:00 PM AST
Where: Juneau Borough-Admiralty Island-Icy Strait Area forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

The same slow moving frontal boundary which caused the flooding and mudslides in the Juneau area brought strong, gusty winds. Peak winds reported were 64 mph at Mayflower Island, 64 mph at the Federal Building, and 56 mph at the Juneau Airport.

Flash Flood, Juneau Borough / Admiralty Is

When: October 20, 11:45 AM AST to 3:30 PM AST
Where: Juneau Borough / Admiralty Is County, Juneau
Property damage: $2.3 million
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

After over 24 hours of steady moderate-heavy rain, widespread flooding occurred along small streams and in urban areas in Juneau. Montana Creek rose above flood stage and approximately 2 feet of water inundated a residential area in the Mendenhall Valley. A number of damaging mudslides occurred around the Juneau area causing minor damage to an unknown number of homes, roads, and state trails. The most devastating slide removed a portion of Fritz Cove Road and completely destroyed a nearby home. Juneau received 6-10 inches of rain in less than 48 hours Oct 19-20.

High Wind, Dixon Entrance to Cape Decision-Coastal Area

When: October 24, 4:00 PM AST to 8:00 PM AST
Where: Dixon Entrance to Cape Decision-Coastal Area forecast zone
Measured: 62 kt (71 mph)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

High winds occurred along the southern outer coast of Southeast Alaska ahead of a strong frontal boundary associated with a rapidly deepening low pressure system. Hydaberg Seaplane Base reported 71 mph winds.

High Wind, Southern Southeast Alaska Ernest Sound to Dixon Entrance

When: October 27, 5:00 AM AST to 12:30 PM AST
Where: Southern Southeast Alaska Ernest Sound to Dixon Entrance forecast zone
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

An intense low pressure system moved up along the outer coast of Southeast Alaska and brought high winds to the inner channels of the panhandle. The peak wind gust at Ketchikan Harbor was 69 mph. The strong winds caused a power outage in Ketchikan, school was closed, and the 50-foot fishing vessel, Cheryl Ann, was grounded near Saxman.

High Wind, Juneau Borough-Admiralty Island-Icy Strait Area

When: October 27, 5:45 AM AST to 12:30 PM AST
Where: Juneau Borough-Admiralty Island-Icy Strait Area forecast zone
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

An intense low pressure system moved up along the outer coast of Southeast Alaska and brought high winds to the inner channels of the panhandle. In downtown Juneau, peak winds were 64 mph at Mayflower Island and 62 mph at the Federal Building. A tree fell on and damaged a car near Juneau-Douglas High School.

What these are

Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
High Wind: Sustained non-thunderstorm winds of 40 mph or more for an hour, or gusts of 58 mph or more.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Alaska in 1998 Every state in 1998 This day in weather history Warnings in Alaska, October 1998

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5677746, 5677748, 5677747, 5677749, 5677751, 5677750.