Flooding Hits Alaska as a Result of Ice Jams

Posted: May 17, 2023 12:41 pm

The state of Alaska has been experiencing catastrophic flooding thanks to a warmer than average spring. The rising mercury has paired with heavy rainfall to create an earlier than usual ice thaw throughout the state. The quickly thawing ice has triggered this flooding, creating numerous problems for residents and state officials.

Ice Jams Brought About by Warming Temperatures Trigger Flooding

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued an official disaster declaration over the weekend when the extensive ice jams and related snowmelt created flooding events across many areas lining the Kuskokwim and Yukon rivers.

Most notably, a massive ice jam located on the Yukon River has caused dangerous flooding for many communities located along the waterway.

These jams happen when the ice begins to flow downstream but ends up stuck on its journey, causing it to act as a dam and lead to rising waters in the river. Because the jams happen so quickly and without warning, it is challenging to give sufficient notice to residents in the path of the flooding.

Residents in The Last Frontier are used to this time known as the “spring breakup.” The rising temperatures cause the river ice to break up and melt. While this is a normal climate cycle, ice that melts too quickly can end up as ice jams.

This year’s spring breakup got a late start thanks to cooler weather in April. But a fast warmup in May has caused the ice to melt at a quick clip, sending the spring breakup into overdrive.

The National Weather Service (NWS) saw this coming and warned communities along the rivers in Alaska to be ready for the potential flooding. The NWS office in Fairbanks was able to make this prediction based on the amount of snowpack, the thickness of the surrounding ice, and the forecast for warmer weather.

Town of Eagle Saw Up to 90 Miles of Ice Jams

The eastern town of Eagle was one community that experienced significant flooding last weekend. According to the NWS, approximately 80 to 90 miles of ice rushed down the Yukon River, sending the water rising above the banks.

The floodwaters rushed through the town quickly, leaving roads impassable due to the large ice chunks that are now scattered around the community.

Located about 100 miles northwest of Eagle, the town of Circle also was dealing with severe flooding as the water in the Yukon increased by almost 10 feet in a time period of just 30 minutes. Many homes in the town were flooded with the river water. Vehicles also became inoperable as the water rushed through town.

Fortunately, flooding of this type tends to see the water recede quickly. However, the remaining ice chunks left behind can also hamper travel and cause problems. There have been no reported deaths or injuries as a result of the ice jam flooding.

Flooding Issues Along Kuskokwin River in Southwest Alaska

Down in Southwest Alaska, the Kuskokwin River is also dealing with ice jam flooding. Officials said that a 15-mile long ice jam on this river has led to flooding in the communities of Crooked Creek and Red Devil.

Residents of Crooked Creek had to take shelter at a local school that is located at a higher elevation than most of the homes in the area. The Red Cross continues to provide shelter and support for those residents in need of help.

Several homes located along the river in Crooked Creek were torn from their foundation as the rushing floodwaters ripped them apart. Despite the extensive damage, all of the residents of Crooked Creek have been accounted for.

While the worst of the ice jam flooding appears to be over for now, many areas of the state are still under flood warnings and watches because of the potential danger.

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