Flood — Deltana and Tanana, Alaska

2008-08-01 · near Salcha, Deltana and Tanana, Alaska

Wider weather episode

Event continued from July. Total property damage amounts are only included in the July episode, though details are repeated in the following narrative.

On the night of the 27th a frontal system moved from the Gulf of Alaska northwest over the southern interior to near Fairbanks on the

evening of the 28th, then moved slowly back to the southeast before dissipating on the 29th. This system dropped 2.0 to 5.0 inches of

rain over the Central and Eastern interior from Tok to western Fairbanks...with heaviest amounts over the central Alaska Range as well

as the hills north of the Tanana River from Salcha to Tok. This caused the flooding of rivers and streams draining into the Tanana River,

particularly on the Goodpaster and Salcha Rivers, as well as the rivers draining north from the Alaska Range, but east of Denali Park. In

addition, the Tanana River itself rose rapidly on the 29th through the 31st flooding areas around Salcha, Fairbanks, and Nenana. A frontal

system from the Arctic moved southeast over the interior on the 29th and 30th, helping to push the Gulf of Alaska front back toward

Canada, and dropping another 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain over the Chena River Basin, the middle Tanana River Tributaries, as well as the

Nenana River from southeast of Healy to Nenana. This precipitation event caused flooding of several subdivisions in the Denali Borough,

and added to or prolonged the flooding in the areas already mentioned. The flood crest of the Tanana River of 26.53 feet was the highest

level since the record 1967 flood. The Alaska Railroad initially stopped passenger trains north of Denali Park to Fairbanks, due to a

washout between Anderson and Nenana; once their stop in Nenana had flooded on the 31st, the railroad halted freight service. Specific

impacts include:

Zone 221: The Tanana River went above flood stage on the evening of the 30th, flooded the city of Nenana on the 31st through the

morning of the 5th. The Red Cross set up an Evacuation Shelter. Property Damages include $2 million for the city of Nenana, $34,000 for

the Nenana School District, $28,000 for the Native Village of Nenana, and $270,000 for the Alaska Railroad. Downstream of Nenana, the

Tanana River went overbank between Old Minto but upstream of Manley Hot Springs and likely impacted a few cabins, but damages are

unknown. The Denali Borough reported that Julius Creek went overbank causing the approach to the Rex Trail Bridge, about 5 miles off

the Parks highway at Mile 280, to be washed out. This bridge is a wooden bridge about 14 feet wide, providing access to the Southwind

subdivision; estimated damage to the bridge approach is $5000. An additional $330,000 will be expended by the State for individual

Disaster Assistance, mainly for Nenana residents, based on a $5000 per-person limit for the 66 applicants; actual property losses to

individuals is likely much more.

Zone 222: The Tanana River rose sharply on the evening of the 29th, flooding the Piledriver Slough area of Salcha. Flooding continued

until the 31st, inundating a number of homes and the Old Richardson Highway. Flood waters receded by the morning of the 1st. The

Tanana River rose sharply near Fairbanks around 1 AM AST on the 30th flooding homes in the Rosie Creek Subdivision, namely those

residences on Perkins Drive and Melanie Lane. Water from the Lower Chena River which flows into the Tanana River backed up,

pushing water onto the properties downstream of the Riverboat Discovery Launch. Evacuation Shelters were set up in Salcha and in

west Fairbanks. Several dozen residents in Salcha evacuated their homes; at least 100 residences were impacted by the flood waters.

Groundwater also appeared in the Moose Creek locale, above the Flood Control Project, due to pressure from the high level of the

Tanana River. Damage amounts totaled $708,000, including $325,000 for the Borough's emergency protection and roads maintenance,

$345,000 to the State Department of Transportation for roads and culverts repair, and $38,000 to the State Department of Natural

Resources for repair to parks and access roads. At least 130 applicants (42 in Fairbanks, 88 in Salcha) filed for Public Assistance with a

maximum award of $5000 each for a total of $650,000; actual personal losses is likely much more.

Zone 223: The Tanana River rose sharply during the afternoon of the 29th causing flooding of the Starkeyville subdivision of Salcha,

which continued until the 31st. Several residences in the subdivision were evacuated. Damage is estimated at $20,000. The Salcha River

flooded and likely impacted seasonal residences (cabins), damage amount unknown. Applicants for Public Assistance which includes

an unknown portion of the 88 applicants from Salcha (maximum of $5000 per person) are included in the zone 222 total.

Zone 225: Dry Creek at Healy went overbank on the 29th, and was highest on the 30th and 31st, and ended on the 3rd. This flooding

impacted 9 residences along Killion Road, an estimated $10,000 in property damages due mainly to water in sheds or in crawl spaces of

residences. June Creek flooded as well impacting several residences along June Creek Road, though there was no reportable damage.

Additionally, the high water in the Nenana River caused $95,000 damage to the Alaska Railroad in Healy.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (64.4722, -146.9971)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 128357. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.