Flood — Lower Koyukuk Middle Ykn Vlys, Alaska

2006-05-17 to 2006-05-19 · near Koyukuk, Lower Koyukuk Middle Ykn Vlys, Alaska

Wider weather episode

An ice jam formed on the Yukon River 20 miles downstream of Nulato causing flooding of the village of Nulato and Koyukuk. At Nulato the water reached maximum height at 0500 ADT on the morning of the 19th....reaching a marking of 2.2 on the Corps of Engineers gage.In Nulato, a number of roads were impassable during the flooding, including the road to the airport. In Koyukuk, most of the roads were flooded; access to homes, city buildings, and the school was restricted. By 1300 ADT on the 19th water levels had fallen such that most buildings were accessible. 32 residents were flown out to the bigger village of Galena on the 18th and 19th, returning on the 24th and 25th after preliminary water testing showed that the contaminants in the water system had been reduced to safe levels. Very early on the 19th, a woman and her three children, camping about 6 miles upriver from Koyukuk were rescued by an Army medevac helicopter crew when they became stranded due to the high water.Monetary amount of damage was $32,000 in Nulato and $248,100 in Koyukuk.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5512448. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.