Flood — Deltana and Tanana, Alaska

2003-05-01 to 2003-05-04 · Deltana and Tanana, Alaska

Wider weather episode

Event continued from April. Snowmelt and icemelt caused water to rise on the Tanana River and Piledriver Slough, and resulting in minor flooding of various properties beginning the night of the 25th. Ice buildup on roads and properties was created first by an Ice Jam event on the Tanana River during November 2002, and then surface water and groundwater flooding in early January 2003, resulting in up 2-foot thick layers of ice on the Old Richardson Highway and on properties near the Piledriver slough. On April 29th, another ice jam formed on the nearest branch of the Tanana River, next to the partial one that had formed and remained since November. This caused water from the Tanana River to flow into Piledriver Slough. The water in Piledriver Slough then went overbank and flooded properties and some homes, threatening other homes. By late afternoon on the 29th, water continued to rise breaching a dike on the Tanana River and rapidly raising water levels in the area. Water continued to rise into the beginning of May, flooding about 100 homes in all and threatening another 50 homes. The Old Richardson Highway was impassible, which is the main road serving many of the residents in this subdivision. During the first few days of May water levels fluctuated, but homes remained flooded or surrounded by water. On the morning of May 3rd, the Ice Jam shifted and gradually moved downstream, and water levels began dropping significantly. By late afternoon on May 4, the water was completely contained inside the Tanana River, and Piledriver Slough had also dropped significantly. Many surrounding areas still had ponded water due to the high groundwater level. The Fairbanks North Star Borough Department of Emergency Services and Salcha Rescue activated an Incident Command Center in the area and helped those residents requesting evacuation. Property Damage is an estimate. Event continued into May.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5353973. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.