Flood in Upper Kobuk and Noatak Vlys, Alaska

The combination of snow melt and an ice jam at the village of Kobuk along the Kobuk River produced minor to moderate flooding. Water levels rose to 5 feet above bankfull stage and there was water and ice chunks moving through the village. Residents in low lying areas of the village were evacuated to higher ground. The flood waters affected numerous roads and buildings in low lying areas in the village. There was only one building where water entered the structure, but there were no reports of any home damage. The flooding ended during the evening of the 21st as the ice jam broke and water drained out of the village. Areas of standing water remained in the low spots around the village into the following week.