Flood — Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

2024-05-08 to 2024-05-13 · near Bethel, Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Event narrative

Initial flooding in Bethel and surrounding areas causes minor low land overflows and some impacted to transportation prompting an advisory, however flood intensity started to increase when the ice jam stalled downstream causing large amounts of impounded water to inundate well into Bethel. The rising water triggered a flood warning to be issued for Bethel and the surrounding area as impacts included the area inside of Bethel called Alligator Acres being heavily flooded, as well as the bridge over Brown's Slough being impassible (where the gage is located). The flooding had a strong impact on numerous businesses in the areas of Bethel along the Kuskokwim River and Brown's Slough. Flooding was also reported spreading into the tundra in the countryside, flooding low roads and rural transportation in the area.

Wider weather episode

Ice jam flooding along the Kuskokwim River moved through the lower areas of the basin beginning May 2 and continuing though May 14 for several communities along the Kuskokwim River. Flood watches were issued starting May 2 for the upper reach of the Kuskokwim River zone, progressing downstream ahead of flooding through May 12. Ice jam flooding moved slowly downstream based on river ice concentration and temperatures, with impacts varying depending on the residence time of the jam below a community and amount of impounded water.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (60.8000, -161.7500)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1184546. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.