Flooding in Alaska, August 1 to 5, 2008

Event continued from July. Total property damage amounts are only included in the July episode, though details are repeated in the following narrative.

On the night of the 27th a frontal system moved from the Gulf of Alaska northwest over the southern interior to near Fairbanks on the|evening of the 28th, then moved slowly back to the southeast before dissipating on the 29th. This system dropped 2.0 to 5.0 inches of|rain over the Central and Eastern interior from Tok to western Fairbanks...with heaviest amounts over the central Alaska Range as well|as the hills north of the Tanana River from Salcha to Tok. This caused the flooding of rivers and streams draining into the Tanana River,|particularly on the Goodpaster and Salcha Rivers, as well as the rivers draining north from the Alaska Range, but east of Denali Park. In|addition, the Tanana River itself rose rapidly on the 29th through the 31st flooding areas around Salcha, Fairbanks, and Nenana. A frontal|system from the Arctic moved southeast over the interior on the 29th and 30th, helping to push the Gulf of Alaska front back toward|Canada, and dropping another 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain over the Chena River Basin, the middle Tanana River Tributaries, as well as the|Nenana River from southeast of Healy to Nenana. This precipitation event caused flooding of several subdivisions in the Denali Borough,|and added to or prolonged the flooding in the areas already mentioned. The flood crest of the Tanana River of 26.53 feet was the highest|level since the record 1967 flood. The Alaska Railroad initially stopped passenger trains north of Denali Park to Fairbanks, due to a|washout between Anderson and Nenana; once their stop in Nenana had flooded on the 31st, the railroad halted freight service. Specific|impacts include:

Zone 221: The Tanana River went above flood stage on the evening of the 30th, flooded the city of Nenana on the 31st through the|morning of the 5th. The Red Cross set up an Evacuation Shelter. Property Damages include $2 million for the city of Nenana, $34,000 for|the Nenana School District, $28,000 for the Native Village of Nenana, and $270,000 for the Alaska Railroad. Downstream of Nenana, the|Tanana River went overbank between Old Minto but upstream of Manley Hot Springs and likely impacted a few cabins, but damages are|unknown. The Denali Borough reported that Julius Creek went overbank causing the approach to the Rex Trail Bridge, about 5 miles off|the Parks highway at Mile 280, to be washed out. This bridge is a wooden bridge about 14 feet wide, providing access to the Southwind|subdivision; estimated damage to the bridge approach is $5000. An additional $330,000 will be expended by the State for individual|Disaster Assistance, mainly for Nenana residents, based on a $5000 per-person limit for the 66 applicants; actual property losses to|individuals is likely much more.

Zone 222: The Tanana River rose sharply on the evening of the 29th, flooding the Piledriver Slough area of Salcha. Flooding continued|until the 31st, inundating a number of homes and the Old Richardson Highway. Flood waters receded by the morning of the 1st. The|Tanana River rose sharply near Fairbanks around 1 AM AST on the 30th flooding homes in the Rosie Creek Subdivision, namely those|residences on Perkins Drive and Melanie Lane. Water from the Lower Chena River which flows into the Tanana River backed up,|pushing water onto the properties downstream of the Riverboat Discovery Launch. Evacuation Shelters were set up in Salcha and in|west Fairbanks. Several dozen residents in Salcha evacuated their homes; at least 100 residences were impacted by the flood waters.|Groundwater also appeared in the Moose Creek locale, above the Flood Control Project, due to pressure from the high level of the|Tanana River. Damage amounts totaled $708,000, including $325,000 for the Borough’s emergency protection and roads maintenance,|$345,000 to the State Department of Transportation for roads and culverts repair, and $38,000 to the State Department of Natural|Resources for repair to parks and access roads. At least 130 applicants (42 in Fairbanks, 88 in Salcha) filed for Public Assistance with a|maximum award of $5000 each for a total of $650,000; actual personal losses is likely much more.

Zone 223: The Tanana River rose sharply during the afternoon of the 29th causing flooding of the Starkeyville subdivision of Salcha,|which continued until the 31st. Several residences in the subdivision were evacuated. Damage is estimated at $20,000. The Salcha River|flooded and likely impacted seasonal residences (cabins), damage amount unknown. Applicants for Public Assistance which includes|an unknown portion of the 88 applicants from Salcha (maximum of $5000 per person) are included in the zone 222 total.

Zone 225: Dry Creek at Healy went overbank on the 29th, and was highest on the 30th and 31st, and ended on the 3rd. This flooding|impacted 9 residences along Killion Road, an estimated $10,000 in property damages due mainly to water in sheds or in crawl spaces of|residences. June Creek flooded as well impacting several residences along June Creek Road, though there was no reportable damage.|Additionally, the high water in the Nenana River caused $95,000 damage to the Alaska Railroad in Healy.