Flooding in Alaska, May 9 to 13, 2002

Ice Jams formed on the Tanana River and Chena River in the greater Fairbanks area causing flooding of certain subdivisions in Zones 222 and 223. The cool temperatures during all of April and then rapid warm-up during early May contributed to the severe ice jamming. On the evening of the 9th, an ice jam formed in the Salcha area which caused water to rise and flood homes along Piledriver Slough (in both zones 222 and 223). This jam finally released on the evening of the 12th. The water levels levels were the highest in 20 years. On the morning of the 10th, an ice jam on the Chena River formed at the Nordale Bridge near North Pole and caused flooding of several homes.; this ended by early afternoon as the jam broke and released the water. On the evening of the 11th, and ice jam formed on the Tanana River near Harding Lake (zone 223) and caused the flooding of several homes in the Sewell subdivision. This jam released early Sunday evening. The high water level of the Tanana River during this time caused groundwater flooding of some homes in the Rosie Creek Subdivision. Property damage is estimated based on an aggregate $2 million total between properties in both zones, and the ice jam event of the 4th-6th. This figure is based on the disaster aid amount approved by the Governor of Alaska for these events.