Flood warnings are in effect until 4:00 pm this (Monday) afternoon for rivers and streams in the western Talkeeta Mountains and for rivers that cross the Parks Highway.
By noon Sunday, many creeks in the Susitna Valley were at bankfull levels and a few at or near minor flood stage. Willow Creek levels reached ten feet by late afternoon Sunday, and Montana Creek reached more than 6 feet as water continued to rise with the rainfall.
The Susitna River gained two feet by late Sunday to rise to 17 feet.
Stream rises are expected to be slow, and flash flooding is not a concern. Some local roads may be impassable, and flooding is expected at mile 64 – 100 on the Parks Highway.
APTI Reporter-Producer Ellen Lockyer started her radio career in the late 1980s, after a stint at bush Alaska weekly newspapers, the Copper Valley Views and the Cordova Times. When the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, Valdez Public Radio station KCHU needed a reporter, and Ellen picked up the microphone.
Since then, she has literally traveled the length of the state, from Attu to Eagle and from Barrow to Juneau, covering Alaska stories on the ground for the AK show, Alaska News Nightly, the Alaska Morning News and for Anchorage public radio station, KSKA
elockyer (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 907.550.8446 | About Ellen
