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Flood in Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys, Alaska

Flood May 18, 2026 – May 25, 2026 · Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys, Alaska

$75K

Damage as recorded

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

What the National Weather Service wrote

The NWS River Watch team reported that extensive, high-impact overbank flooding occurred near Holy Cross because of the massive ice blockages downriver. The local airport runway was completely submerged and rendered entirely inoperable. Numerous lower-town structures were surrounded by water, and water entered several homes. Though the primary jam released on Friday (May 22), substantial stranded water kept the runway closed for days.

The wider storm

As the third week of May 2026 unfolded, the dynamic breakup front stalled repeatedly along the Lower Yukon, creating a cascading sequence of severe jams and flooding. This period involved massive downstream surges as well as backwater effects in tributaries like the Andreafsky and Chuilnuk.

Began near Holy Cross (62.1999, -159.8990).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 1340708. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.

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