‘Tsunami’ Of Ice Wreaks Havoc On Alaskan Town

Alaska State Troopers photo

May 9, 2009

High temperatures in Alaska have caused an unusually fast spring melt causing flooding that has all but destroyed the Yukon community of Eagle Village.

Dan Bross had this report on KUAC that was later picked up on NPR.

All Things Considered, May 8, 2009 · Temperatures in some parts of Alaska soared into the 70s this week, causing a rapid “melt-out” of ice and snow along the Yukon River and unprecedented flooding that nearly wiped out the small community of Eagle.

The historic gold rush outpost sits on the upper reaches of the Yukon River on the eastern edge of Alaska, along the border with Canada.

“The Front Street buildings, the store, the museum, the shop, some houses and storage buildings all have been basically destroyed,” says resident John Borg, 41.

An aerial view shows at least two dozen buildings submerged in a sea of car-sized ice chunks and 30 feet of muddy floodwater on Tuesday.

There is also flooding in Ft. Yukon and Circle that is now being reported by Tim Mowry at Newsminer.com.

It appeared the “wall” of water that was released by the ice jam in Eagle on Monday night passed through Circle on Tuesday morning and was on its way to Fort Yukon, said Ed Plumb, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Fairbanks.

The “breakup front,” as weather officials called it, was about 20 miles upstream of Fort Yukon and moving downriver, Plumb said.

It appeared the “wall” of water that was released by the ice jam in Eagle on Monday night passed through Circle on Tuesday morning and was on its way to Fort Yukon, said Ed Plumb, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Fairbanks.

The “breakup front,” as weather officials called it, was about 20 miles upstream of Fort Yukon and moving downriver, Plumb said.

It appeared the “wall” of water that was released by the ice jam in Eagle on Monday night passed through Circle on Tuesday morning and was on its way to Fort Yukon, said Ed Plumb, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Fairbanks.

The “breakup front,” as weather officials called it, was about 20 miles upstream of Fort Yukon and moving downriver, Plumb said.

Yukon River Flood Statement from the National Weather Service in Fairbanks

Kuskoquim River Flood Advisory from the National Weather Service in Anchorage

Anonymous Bloggers is deeply concerned about the flooding along the Yukon. We would like anyone in contact with folks in the area to leave a comment describing thier situation.

If you have ideas or more information about ways we can help, please leave a comment. Brainstorming in the blogosphere helped us aid Nunam Iqua, Pilot Point, Ugashik and Alakanuk. We want to be of assistance in this crisis too!

So far we know the Red Cross in Fairbanks is accepting donations for Eagle. Everts Air (a local air freight/fuel company) is donating planes/pilots/crew to get goods up to Eagle and just did a 10,500 pound drop yesterday.

The Fairbanks Red Cross can be reached at (907) 456-5937; the Alaska State Homeland Security Department is also on the ground, coordinating from Anchorage (907) 428-7286.