Flood in Susitna Valley, Alaska

Anchorage Daily News published a story about the flooding in Houston from heavy rain that fell over the Talkeetna Mountains August 8. Numerous roads were closed in the Houston, AK township and up to 20 properties were affected. Flooding in the town of Houston and surrounding roads was widespread. https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/mat-su/2022/08/09/mat-su-flooding-closes-roads-threatens-homes-after-deluge-soaks-talkeetna-mountains/ Flooding on the Little Susitna River at Houston reached a crest of 12.52 ft on August 10, 2022 at 5PM AKDT which was moderate flood stage.

The set up was a broad longwave trough in place over much of the Bering Sea through southern Alaska. Embedded in this broad longwave trough was an upper level low meandering over the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Multiple upper level shortwaves rotated around this upper level low along with a jet stream aimed right up Cook Inlet into Southcentral. The southwesterly flow at 700 millibars was also very moist with all this moisture being advected northeastward into the Cook Inlet region and Mat-SU Valleys. As a result, heavy rain occurred throughout the region resulting in flooding for some areas.