Coastal Flood — Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

2025-01-09 to 2025-01-11 · Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Event narrative

Kwigillingok, Alaska saw major flooding on January 10th. A tribal resilience coordinator reported that water levels were the highest ... seen thus far. He continued: A group of Russian Orthodox Christians, observing Slaviq (a Russian Orthodox equivalent to Christmas), were forced to stay put in a house because there were numerous spots too deep to cross on boardwalks. Snow machine trails were all water as well. A search and rescue worker reported 4 - 8 ft of water. An article from Alaska Public Media reported that the Native Village of Kwigillingok Tribal Administrator noted that multiple boardwalks were submerged in the lower part of the community. Alaska Public Media article link: https://alaskapublic.org/2025-01-13/tidal-action-and-fierce-winds-flood-low-lying-areas-of-kwigillingok.

Wider weather episode

A north Pacific low moved into the Bering and tracked northeastward into the Kuskokwim Delta Coast. Southerly winds increased to gale force strength and combined with high tides and a lack of sea ice to cause coastal flooding that inundated many boardwalks and low lying areas in Kwigillingok, Alaska on January 10th. Snow machine trails were submerged as well.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1234671. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.