Flood — Wrn Tanana Vly Wrn Yukon Vly, Alaska

2009-05-12 to 2009-05-14 · near Tanana, Wrn Tanana Vly Wrn Yukon Vly, Alaska

Wider weather episode

Ice Jammed about 50 miles downstream of Tanana on the 11th and ice continued to pack into the back of the jam and stopped near the village of Tanana on the morning of the 12th. Flooding began in Tanana at approximately 4 am on the 12th. The water levels peaked at around 3 pm on the 12th, and it was the 2nd highest crest on record. Residents of the village reported that this was the worst flooding in 50 years, and the water levels were only 3 feet shy of the record flood of 1937.

Many sections of the village were flooded including the road to the airport. One house was washed away by the flood waters, and 30 homes had major flood damage. Approximately 80 people were evacuated from the village. By 5 pm on the 12th the water levels began to fall, but remained above bankfull until the late evening hours on the 13th. The damage estimates for this event include the costs to repair and replace homes that were damaged and destroyed as well as costs to repair and replace public infrastructure and equipment.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (65.1800, -152.0123)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 163406. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.