Flood — Yukon Flats, Alaska

2024-05-24 to 2024-05-29 · near Ft Yukon, Yukon Flats, Alaska

Event narrative

High water on the Porcupine River reached Fort Yukon on May 24th and caused the Sucker River to back up into low-lying areas on the east side of town and has flooded some roads east of Fort Yukon. A river observer reported at 1 pm Friday May 24th flooding of sloughs, low area, and some low-lying roads east of Fort Yukon. The observer reported that water was rising rapidly and was 6 inches to 1 foot below the low section of the runway in Fort Yukon. At 12 pm on May 27th a river observer reported that water levels had receded approximately one foot since Saturday May 25th with only a few inches of water remaining over the roadway near Liquor Store Lake. Sloughs near the airport remained just above bankfull. On May 28th at 3:07 pm, a river observer reported that water levels on the main stem Yukon River were up 1 to 2 feet from Monday May 27th with the Porcupine flow still dominating. A few inches of water remained over the roadway near Liquor Store lake. Sloughs near the airport remained just above bankfull. Water began receding on May 29th and the Flood Warning was cancelled. A Flood Watch was issued on May 20th and upgraded to a Flood Warning on May 24th. The Flood Warning was cancelled on May 29th.

Wider weather episode

Excessive runoff resulted in flooding of rivers, swales, slough, and other low-lying and flood-prone area near Fort Yukon. The water levels along the Porcupine River at Old Crow rose dramatically during the weekend of May 18th and 19th, due to heavy snowmelt and remained high. High water on the Porcupine River reached Fort Yukon on May 24th and caused the Sucker River to back up into low-lying areas on the east side of town and has flooded some roads east of Fort Yukon.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1200527. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.