Flooding in Alaska, July 28 to 31, 2008

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 224: Both the Goodpaster and Salcha Rivers likely flooded during the event. Damage amounts unknown. Both rivers are popular for secondary or seasonal residences of people from Fairbanks and Delta. The Taylor Highway suffered mud damage from 11 days of rain according to the Fairbanks Daily News-miner.

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.

Zone 226: One lane of the Richardson Highway was washed out at the Bear Creek Bridge, at Mile 233. Estimated damage $2000.

Event continued into August.