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Flood in Upper Kobuk and Noatak Vlys, Alaska

Flood May 18, 2023 – May 21, 2023 · Upper Kobuk and Noatak Vlys, Alaska

Where the report was made, with tornadoes recorded within 15 miles over the years.

What the National Weather Service wrote

An ice jam formed on the Kobuk River below Kobuk on May 18th. Minor flooding caused caused water to inundate low lying roads, around and partially under three homes, making some areas in the community on accessible by boat. Water levels started to gradually fall on the 20th and it is estimated the ice jam released on the 21st when water levels dropped back within back at the community.

The wider storm

A prolonged period of well-below-average spring temperatures combined with an above-average winter snowpack created a dynamic breakup of the Kobuk River. This resulted in numerous ice jams. April temperatures were well below normal, and when temperatures began to warm in early May, it melted the low-elevation snowpack quickly. Because of the relatively quick addition of snowmelt onto strong ice, the ice was more susceptible to jamming and floods.

Began near Kobuk (66.9097, -156.8884).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 1105222. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.

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