MAT-SU—If your home or business was damaged by the September federal flood disaster in the Mat-Su Borough, here's an avenue for a low interest loan to fund repairs. The US Small Business Administration is offering loans up to $200,000 for homeowners to repair or replace damaged real estate, and up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property. Businesses may borrow up to $2 million. Interest rates can be as low as 1.688 for homeowners, renters, 3 percent for nonprofits, and 4 percent for businesses.

LEARN MORE IN PERSON at 3 locations in the Mat-Su in January.

MAT-SU—The Matanuska-Susitna Borough will be requesting reimbursement for repairs to roads, bridges, and a local fire station, as well as for emergency staffing and supplies for the 2012 flood disaster. As part of the recovery efforts, the Borough wants to hear from residents on how to minimize future damages.

8:15 pm, Nov. 29—Cedar Hills Fire—Residents are allowed to return to the Cedar Hills Subdivision now, if they carry identification on them. Police are at checkpoints verifying.
Glowing embers will be visible in the fields. Fire officials ask that residents do not call 911 for glowing embers, only call if a fire threatens their home or safety.

PALMER—Here are maps with information on the Cedar Hills Fire. The road closures, the possible point of origin for the fire, and the evacuated subdivision area. Firefighters are expecting to contain the fire soon.

5:13 pm Nov. 29, PALMER—Residents of the Cedar Hills subdivision, north of Palmer, evacuated earlier today as a grass fire moved in, threatening three to four homes on the subdivision’s north side as of this hour. Ripping winds gusting to 50 mph or more have pushed the fire southwest to Wickersham Circle, where the fire is burning near eight homes.

No homes have burned. Reportedly outbuildings and vehicles have caught fire.

Later residences along the roads of Beylund Loop, off Scott Road, and Josh Road off of Felton Street had been evacuated.

CORRECTION: 4:30 PM. NO HOMES ARE ON FIRE. 3 to 4 homes are threatened in the Cedar Hills Subdivision and another 8 homes are threatned near Wickersham Way.

CEDAR HILLS FIRE 3:14pm, Nov. 29
MAT-SU—A fire is burning in the Cedar Hills Subdivision north of Palmer on the Glenn Highway. Initial reports have three to four structures on fire. Residents of the Subdivision have been asked to evacuate. Some 15 homes are there. A shelter is set up at the Palmer Senior Center.
Palmer Fishhook Road at the Glenn Highway is closed.
Responders from several departments are on scene. Anchorage fire may be assisting. Winds are estimated at up to 50 mph gusts or more. No injuries have been reported. More updates will follow.

PIO Patty Sullivan

745-9577 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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MAT-SU—The Matanuska-Susitna Borough continues its effort to recover from a flood disaster in September. Federal and state officials completed a field assessment of individual damage this week. Starting Saturday the assessment begins for public infrastructure of roads and bridges. A determination on whether damage in the Borough is a federal disaster is expected to come in late November.

MAT-SU—More than 120 people from different agencies and entities helped in the response effort on the flood disaster. In this radio commercial, Borough Emergency Manager Casey Cook and Lead PIO Patty Sullivan give heartfelt thanks to all who helped. They also remind some of the need to be prepared in your own neighborhood.

MAT-SU—No Trespassing signs are interfering with teams who are taking damage assessments for a possible federal disaster declaration on the recent flood. Please post a FEMA OK sign on your property

MAT-SU—A section of Totem Road is closing indefinitely because the section is too steep and narrow.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Operations and Maintenance division is closing a section of Totem Road outside Wasilla, where the hill is too steep, too narrow, and is a safety and maintenance problem.  This section does not hinder access to any residence.

MAT-SU—Two roads remain closed in the Mat-Su from the recent flood disaster, including Kalispell Road and Yoder Road both near Talkeetna. Near Schrock Road, Sushana Road is open, but one lane is barricaded due to water on the road. Sushana is passable. Near the new Deneki Meadows bridge, Kenny Boulevard is open to through-traffic only. Please do not drive on Kenny unless you live nearby. Contractors are working in rough, wet conditions. Susitna Landing, off the Parks Highway is open. 

MAT-SU – EOC Staffing will be down at 6:00 p.m. but staff will monitor through the evening.

MAT-SU-- October 6. 2012  As water rises for the second time this fall, the Emergency Services Deputy Director opened the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) again with a skeleton crew.

The new Deneki Meadows bridge opened to traffic late yesterday, far ahead of the regular construction schedule. Residents and property owners can now access the other side of Willow Creek, north of Willow Fishhook Road. Work will start on Kenny Blvd. today.

MAT-SU—A volunteer group will be in the community for a week or more to help residents with cleanup in private homes. Some 823 structures in the Mat-Su were damaged and 14 destroyed by floodwaters, according to an initial count. Also, an incredible construction pace continues to restore bridge access for vehicles for residents in an area north of Willow Fishhook Road, hopefully by Thursday.

MAT-SU—The Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s disaster declaration ended on Saturday, Sept. 29. The Emergency Operations Center that responded to the flood disaster at full staff for nine days, closed on Friday, 11 days after heavy rain swelled many rivers and creeks simultaneously to flood levels, damaging 823 structures, destroying 14 homes, and disrupting more than 60 roads, at initial count. The Borough has begun transitioning into a recovery mode.

Mat-Su— Tee LIttle,  Environmental Conservation of Wasilla and Lorrie Moffitt, Safety Officer of the Mat-Su Borough, show how and when to disinfect a well correctly followed by the method of collecting a good water sample. If you feel your well has been compromised during a flood, this video is for you.

Mat-Su— Becka Lopez, Alaska Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, walks through the steps needed when applying for disaster relief in this video of a live presentation that took place at Talkeetna Elementary on September 25, 2012. If you've had damage to your primary residence and property as a result of the recent state recognized disaster and need help in your recovery. This video is for you.

MAT-SU—Here is a Mat-Su road update. At one point 40 roads were closed, at last count, 8 roads were still under repair.

MAT-SU—Here are locations in the Mat-Su for residents who were flooded and are seeking State Disaster Assistance at a center. The deadline to apply is Nov. 20, 2012.

Rebuilding Damaged Homes and Businesses After the Flood

MAT-SU—Owners of homes and businesses affected by the September 2012 flooding in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough will be required to meet certain local building standards before making repairs or rebuilding.

Mat-Su—Water tests are IN for the Talkeetna Public Water System. Tests came back with negative results for e.coli and total coliform. The water in the public system is SAFE to drink now.
This test is for public water system only.

MAT-SU—Subject experts in drinking water, disaster documentation for relief, well clean up and more will be at the Willow Community Center on Monday, Oct. 1, 6 pm to 7 pm. Take a look at the agenda. Tonight is a meeting in Butte, 6 pm-7pm at Butte Elementary.

MAT-SU—Here is the latest map of roads closed from the recent flood disaster. Most of the closed roads are along Willow Creek now. Take a look.

MAT-SU – September 26, 2012 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER (EOC). As it appears that the crisis response stage of this flood incident has diminished, the EOC will be reducing staff significantly as of now.

MAT-SU—Here is a flyer to a community meeting in Butte tomorrow night, Sept. 27, 6 pm at the Talkeetna Elementary School off Plumley Road. State and borough staff will give details on what to do after the flood disaster. Take a look. A similar meeting was held in Talkeetna last night and will be in Willow Monday, Oct. 1, 6 pm at the Willow Community Center.

MAT-SU – September 26, 2012 COMMUNITY MEETINGS. Two community meetings have been scheduled to address flood related matters. Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at the Butte Elementary, and Monday, October 1, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at the Willow Community Center.

MAT-SU – September 26, 2012 WATER QUALITY FOR GREATER BUTTE SUBDIVISIONS. Residents in the Windsong and Heritage Park subdivisions are advised to boil their water until further notice.

MAT-SU – September 26, 2012 DISASTER ASSISTANCE. The State of Alaska Disaster Assistance Program is ramping up to assist citizens whose homes have been damaged. Individuals have 60 days from September 21, 2012 (when the Governor signed the disaster declaration) to apply for grants when their insurance and/or other assistance is either unavailable or inadequate. If your primary residence, including renters, has been damaged, begin assembling documentation in anticipation of Disaster Assistance Centers opening. Having documentation, including items such as rental agreements, receipts for items purchased to replace damaged items, photos and other proofs of ownership, will speed up the application process.

Disaster Assistance Centers will be operational from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on October 4 & 5 at the Butte Fire Station, October 8 & 9 in Talkeetna (location to be announced), October 9 & 10 in Willow (location to be announced), and October 11 & 12 at the Wasilla Cottonwood Public Safety Building.

Watch for flyers in community centers, libraries and grocery stores for more information.

Carol Vardeman - Public Information Officer 373-5378

MAT-SU – September 26, 2012 UPDATE.  As the urgency decreases, crews have been travelling flooded areas by air to assess the damage. Rough estimates to date indicate 823 residences have been damaged: of that number 14 residences were destroyed. The Yenta River has dropped 18 inches and the weather forecast expects a ridge of high pressure which will provide more storm relief through the weekend.

More indications that the flooding is easing up is that the Red Cross will be closing their Willow shelter today at 3:00 p.m.  As much drinking water that is available will be transported to the Willow Community Center/Library in anticipation of needs after the shelter closes.

Carol Vardeman - Public Information Officer 373-5378

This is the latest update on the road closures.  The status's has not changed, just that they now are on one map.  We will continue to update these daily.

Railroad update on Gold Creek

ATTENTION TALKEETNA RESIDENTS;

Flushing of water system and Independent Lab testing tomorrow.

Emergency Operations Center, 11:58 am—ATTENTION TALKEETNA RESIDENTS:
Please boil water for all personal use.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER-MAT-SU—Here are the latest road closure maps. Good news for Shirley Towne Bridge folks, foot access will be restored today across the nearby Deneki Meadows Bridge. By next Tuesday, vehicle traffic is slated to get across Deneki Meadows Bridge. Take a look here at the maps.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER—Sept. 25, 2012, 10 am

EOC—No flood advisories exist for the Matanuska and Susitna Valleys as Mat-Su property owners and road crews turn their attention to clean up. Yentna and Skwentna rivers are still in flood stage, but the Susitna, Talkeetna, and Matanuska rivers have dropped. Some 124 response workers for the Emergency Operations Center continue coordinating a response to the flood disaster but will begin phasing down today.

Emergency Operations Center, Sept. 24, 8 pm

PIO Patty Sullivan

In an emergency meeting tonight the Assembly for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough agreed to extend the disaster declaration to Sept. 29, an approval that allows the emergency operations center to continue its response. The Assembly met in the Emergency Operations Center at the Mat-Su Public Safety Building in Wasilla, where the Assembly could see the heart of the response activity. 

September 24, 2012..Afternoon Update:

We have crews throughout the borough assessing the damage to roads and structures.  We will begin to get the numbers tomorrow.  It will take several days to get a ball park figure on how much and where the damage is.

EOC, Mat-Su Sept. 24—Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Larry DeVilbiss has called an emergency Assembly meeting this evening at 6 p.m. at Central Mat-Su Public Safety Building to extend the disaster declaration that was issued on 9/20/12.

EOC—Here is an informative video no rivers in the Mat-Su with before an after images to give context.

Emergency Operations Center—The Red Cross reports that one shelter remains open at Willow Community Center, presently six people are there. More shelters can be opened if needed

Emergency Operations Center, Sep 24—As some residents move into the RECOVERY MODE consider this: Please document everything. It will affect potential future financial aid. This means, take photos, write dates, write down losses.

Monday Morning Update from the Emergency Operation Center
9/24/2012

TALKEETNA- A community meeting will be held at 6 pm on Tuesday night, (25th of September) at Talkeetna Elementary School. This meeting will address the questions of what happens next.  An emergency Assembly meeting is tonight at the Central Mat-Su Public Safety Building at 101 W. Swanson, Wasilla.

Here are two maps showing roads closed in the Mat-Su Borough due to flooding or erosion.

EOC—Here are two pop-up maps of the 13 roads that are closed around the Borough due to flooding or erosion damage.

EOC—The Matanuska-Susitna Borough has sustained severe property losses from a week-long storm with high winds and heavy rains. At least three structures have fallen in rushing water, many more have been flooded. Friday more than half the town of Talkeetna left their homes. Alaska Governor Sean Parnell declared a state disaster for the Mat-Su yesterday, authorizing all state agencies and resources to be used.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is issuing the following advisory for Mat-Su area property owners near flooding streams and rivers.

Flooded wells may be contaminated with bacteria or other microorganisms that can cause illness. People with onsite wells on flooded property should boil water used for drinking, cooking, hand washing, or dish washing for at least two minutes prior to use. After the flooding has subsided, the well and water system should be disinfected with chlorine and thoroughly flushed, and then tested by a certified laboratory to ensure the water is safe to drink.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is issuing the following advisory for Mat-Su area property owners near flooding streams and rivers.

Flooded onsite sewer systems may be damaged and will not function properly. If sewage has leaked onto the ground, DEC recommends disinfecting the area with lime. A light powdering of finely ground garden lime will work, or a 5% solution of water and chlorine bleach. Sewage can contain active and harmful bacteria, cysts and viruses.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is issuing the following advisory for Mat-Su area property owners near flooding streams and rivers.

Flooded onsite sewer systems may be damaged and will not function properly. If sewage has leaked onto the ground, DEC recommends disinfecting the area with lime. A light powdering of finely ground garden lime will work, or a 5% solution of water and chlorine bleach. Sewage can contain active and harmful bacteria, cysts and viruses.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is issuing the following advisory for Mat-Su area property owners near flooding streams and rivers.

Secure small fuel containers, fuel tanks and barrels used to store fuel so they do not float or blow away. Above ground tanks, including propane tanks may shift or fall causing fuel lines to kink, weaken or break, and fittings to loosen or become damaged. If you have a buried fuel tank, block vent and fill pipes to prevent water from seeping into the tank and contaminating the fuel.

If you have any questions on the integrity of your tank, fuel lines, tank stand, the fuel itself, or need help moving or returning the tank to service, please contact our fuel supplier.

If the flooding has caused a fuel, oil, or other hazardous substance spill, report the release to DEC at 907-269-3063, or outside normal business hours, call 1-800-478-9300.

For more information on flooding and flood cleanup in Alaska, visit: http://www.flood.alaska.gov.

Asst Manger George Hays flew the area impacted by the flooding.  See it here.

Asst Manger George Hays flew the area impacted by the flooding.  See it here. http://youtu.be/Y72ZpEefj8s This is another wonderful film by Stefan Hinman.  It is the helicopter flight that over flew the impacted areas yesterday afternoon.

Aerial shots Sept. 21 Thanks to LifeMed for lifting our guys in the air today. Assistant Borough Manager George Hays shot some stills. Still image albums regionwide to come. —PIO Patty Sullivan 1:31 am Sept. 22 EOC

Style showcase for Widget gallery not found!

Aerial shots Sept. 21 Thanks to LifeMed for lifting our guys in the air today. Assistant Borough Manager George Hays shot some stills. Still image albums regionwide to come. —PIO Patty Sullivan 1:36 am, Sept. 22, EOC

Style showcase for Widget gallery not found!

Water continues to receding, allowing displaced residents to go home and start the cleanup.

Initial water quality tests performed by the Talkeetna Sewer and Water engineer Mike Kilgo indicate that the community water supply in the Talkeetna townsite is not contaminated, however they are seeking third party confirmation from an outside lab before they give residents the go-ahead to drink tap water.  Kilgo is flushing out the tanks and residents may detect an elevated quantity of chlorine in the water.  Residents with their own private wells are strongly advised NOT to drink their water until it is lab tested.  

Kilgo says the town’s sewage cells are also intact and were not damaged by flood waters, although overflow sewage has contaminated surface water.  Any residents with flood water damage in their homes are advised to take extra precautions to thoroughly clean and disinfect, including wearing gloves, rubber boots, and perhaps a particle mask.   

The Mat-Su Borough transfer site is currently accepting all storm-damaged items at no charge, and additional dumpsters have been requested and will be placed near the Talkeetna State Airport by Saturday afternoon.

-Talkeetna Sewer and Water Update, 10:45 am

EMERGENCY OPS CENTER, SEPT. 22, 8 am

MAT-SU—After managing a response to a fierce, wet storm round the clock for five days, the emergency team in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough will get some relief today with the arrival of a Type 2 Incident Management team sent in by the State to assist in disaster response.

Morning update from Talkeetna
7:30 am

Talkeetna Fire Captain and Operations Chief Tim Morgan just stopped by the command center on his way home to a well-deserved sleep break to report that flood waters continued to recede in both East Talkeetna and downtown Talkeetna.  Hydrology levels have dropped significantly on the Talkeetna River and Montana Creek; the Susitna River water levels are slowly dropping.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER 7:14 am, Sept. 22—There are three shelters open in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough for residents who may need to leave their flooded home. And a fourth site for RVs at the Alaska State Fairgrounds. See the map of shelters.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER, SEPT. 21—Listen to observations right out of the helicopter from Assistant Borough Manager George Hays as he reflects on how the Mat-Su looked above the surging rivers and creeks yesterday. Hays flew over Talkeetna during the town's voluntary evacuation. Near Gold Creek, he observed railroad tracks suspended in air. And more. Click on a five-minute audio clip.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER—Here is the 2:30 am road update in the Mat-Su Borough. See the map large when you click on it.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER—Here is a 3 am update on the Flood Event. No new road closures have occurred in the last several hours. Water levels have been reported receding in East Talkeetna and some on the Little Su River.

MAT-SU BOROUGH—Manager John Moosey of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough signed a local disaster declaration Sept. 20. The Borough has sustained severe losses and threats to life and property from a strong storm system with high winds and heavy rains.

8:00 pm Talkeetna Update

Water continues to rise in East Talkeetna, now covering parts of the Talkeetna State Airport runway.   The intersection of Second Street and F in East Talkeetna is closed to vehicle traffic due to high, flowing water.  In downtown Talkeetna, water has not breached the wall of sandbags at the end of Main Street, however certain areas are flooding.

9:27 pm, Sept. 21
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER—Wasilla Creek is pushing water into a large subdivision called Meadow Brook Subdivision right now down Tiffany Drive.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER—Here is an update on road closures as of 6:15 pm, Sept. 21.

From HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT, as of 17:00 the following roads are closed:

West Paydirt Rd

West Sluice Box Dr

Robin Hood

Maid Marian

Fryer Tuck

Nottingham

Bottom of Rainee Dr.

Merlin Dr. (between Paydirt and Robin Hood)

Little John

King Arthur access is closed at the Parks, but is accessible by taking Cherri Lake to White Rabbit

Longbow

Bottom half of No Name Hill

According to the Alaska River Forecast Center and the National Weather Service, the Upper Susitna is expected to continue to rise over the next 24-36 hours.  The confluence with Gold Creek is expected to have a one to three foot rise through tomorrow afternoon.  There is a quick routing of the river to the Sunshine bridge, which is expected to crest with one to one and a half additional feet by tomorrow afternoon.

Talkeetna Emergency Services are currently monitoring rising water on the Susitna and Talkeetna Rivers.  All residents and businesses downtown and East Talkeetna are currently under a voluntary/recommended evacuation order.  Emergency Services personnel have done a door to door evacuation notification.

Evacuation is not mandatory at this time.  Residents are still strongly advised to leave the area and check in with the Red Cross shelter at the Sunshine Senior Center.

Click the Map to see updated Road Closures.

Road Closures in the City of Houston (per Mayor Vergie Thompson)

The northern end of Enchanted Forest subdivision is becoming impassable.

The following roads are completely closed or washed away:
No Name Hill Drive
Rainee Street
Pay Dirt Road
Little John Drive

Click the Map to see updated Road Closures.

Talkeetna—Sunshine Transit is now an emergency vehicle and has gone off its regular schedule. Please pass it on. We are helping anyone who needs assistance getting out of Talkeetna.

-Sue Deyoe

-end-

Fire chief Farina and Steve Mahay both agree that flooding of the Town of Talkeetna is imminent.  Authorities request that all residents evacuate the town immediately.  The Sunshine Senior Center can accommodate 20 people.  Talkeetna Elementary School is taking student to Su Valley High School.  Please contact the School District for pickup info.  

MAT-SU – 12:02 pm RED CROSS UPDATE. Anyone leaving Talkeenta voluntarily who would like to use a Red Cross shelter should report to the Sunshine Senior Center for shelter assignment.

CV

Fire chief Farina and Steve Mahay both agree that flooding of the Town of Talkeetna is imminent. Authorities request that all residents evacuate the town immediately. The Sunshine Senior Center can accommodate 20 people. Talkeetna Elementary School is taking student to Su Valley High School. Please contact the School District for pickup info.

Road Closures:

Shirley Town Drive located off of Willow Fishhook Road.

Schrock Road north of Little Susitna River at Sitze Road, water is flowing on road.

Concurrent Flooding:

Report of flooding at Schrock Road and Bald Eagle, water level is at 2inches and rising. 

Houston FD reported Little Su River is now across Maid Marian Drive. The Little Su has risen 11 inches in the last 3 hours. It is averaging a rise of 3-4 inches per hour over the last 24 hours.

Maid Marion has floating water on road.  Little John has 8 inches of fast flowing water, swamp behind is also filling up fast.

Pay Dirt Road in Houston is currently underwater with approximately 6 to 12 inches of rapidly flowing.  Water is currently to the edge of structures along Pay Dirt Road. Houston Fire Department personnel have been dispatched to assess the situation

Mercedes Road in Talkeetna has risen 6 inches since 6pm on Thursday evening, and is still on the rise. The culverts at Cummings Road are at capacity and water is rising but has not topped Cummings Road yet. No water flowing on Beaver Road at this time.

Moose Meadows Road has been breached in a second location by the Little Susitna River. The water is currently approximately 1 ½ feet below the bridge at Moose Meadows Road.

Wasilla Creek continues to rise. Borough Responders are going door to door in the Winding Brook Estates Subdivision, to warn residents of the high water and suggesting they evacuate.

At Schrock Road and Stable the water has risen and is currently knee deep on the road.

Evacuations:

Longbow in Enchanted Forest Subdivision has been completely evacuated.

As of 1:30 am on Friday, the Matanuska River is at 10.16 feet.  Flood stage is 12 feet. Water is currently flowing over Maud Road east of the Old Glenn Highway. The residents on the south side of Maud Road east of the Glenn Highway are being warned of the rising water and are asked to evacuate.

The south side of Maud Road is being evacuated on the west side of the Old Glenn Highway.

Flood Updates:

Water is running across the Schrock at Bald Eagle

Road is closed at Schrock and Curtis

Little Su River is flowing across Maid Marian

The Little Su River has risen 11 inches in 3 hours as of 03:15 hours

Phillips Road off Meadow Lakes Loop has water running across if from Cloudy Lake

Mercedes Road in Talkeetna has risen 6 inches since 6pm on Thursday evening and is still on the rise. The culverts at Cummings Road are at capacity and water is rising but has not topped Cummings Road yet. No water flowing on Beaver Road at this time.

Moose Meadows Road has been breached in a second location by the Little Susitna River. The water is currently approximately 1 ½ feet below the bridge at Moose Meadows Road.

MAT-SU – 6:50 p.m. UPDATE. People living off Palmer Fishhook by Wasilla Creek, between Crabb Circle and Nangle Street are advised to evacuate. Residents living on Trunk Road near Wasilla Creek are advised to be aware of rising water levels. 

Here is a map of the road closures due to water from the heavy, wet storm.

Closed and Soon to Be Closed Roads & Bridges in Mat-Su due to water.
ReOpened Roads
Evacuated Areas

                                                                                              Click through for updated list.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER 3 PM, Sept. 20, — Here is a comprehensive list of closed roads and bridges by geographic area as well as three areas of evacuation in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough due to water on roads from heavy rains and high creeks and rivers.

2:30pm - PARKS HIGHWAY AT MILE 71.5 IS OPEN. TROOPERS REPORT.

Rain should be tapering off by tomorrow. More rain is expected on Saturday, then some breaks Sunday and Monday. Another storm is expected Monday or Tuesday with some winds but not to the extent of this storm. 

Travelers on the Parks Highway mile 71.5 beware of delays...water from Willow Creek is entering the highway. DOT is on scene and intermittently opening and closing the highway.

Willow Creek is one foot shy of crossing the Parks Highway at Hatcher Pass Road. Emergency Services crews made house-to-house contact with 18 households on Welch Way near Wasilla. North Welch Way is now impassable. Also near Wasilla, Moose Meadows Road is eroding quickly and is closed.

Working in the Emergency Operations Center

According to the National Weather Service http://aprfc.arh.noaa.gov/

Willow Creek is at major flood stage. Moderate flood stage is reported at Yentna River at Lake Creek and Montana Creek at the Parks Highway. Minor flood stage is reported at the Little Su River at Hatcher Pass Bridge, Willow Creek near Willow, Moose Creek at Oilwell Rd., and Talkeetna River at the Railroad Bridge.

In Talkeetna, Beaver and Mercedes roads are flooded. District Chief Ken Farina has crews knocking on doors in the East Talkeetna area instructing people to evacuate immediately, specifically the homes at the north end of Beaver Road. “The Talkeetna River has risen about a foot since this morning”, Chief Farina advised. Anchorage’s Dive Team is enroute to assist.

Road closure update: Shorty Road and Welch Road are closed.
Glenn Hwy news: The gravel slide at Mile 71 has been cleared, however, rock slides are increasing between Miles 77 and 79 between N. Fish Lake Rd and N Chickaloon Branch Rd, West of where the Glenn crosses the Chickaloon River. Click through for more.

Last night a 9-1-1 call came in with a report of chest-deep water in a home off Marilyn Circle near Lucille & Seldon streets outside Wasilla. Five families were surrounded by water. An unnamed creek is nearby and the homes are in a low lying wet area. Firefighters from Central-Mat-Su and the Mat-Su Water Rescue team responded with 3 rafts near 1 am.

Road closure update: Shorty Road and Welch Road are closed. Glenn Hwy news: The gravel slide at Mile 71 has been cleared, however, rock slides are increasing between Miles 77 and 79 between N. Fish Lake Rd and N Chickaloon Branch Rd, West of where the Glenn crosses the Chickaloon River. The highway is passable but drivers should use caution; crews are on their way to clear the roadway.

AKZ111-210000- MATANUSKA VALLEY

INCLUDING...PALMER...WASILLA...SUTTON...CHICKALOON

5:00 AM AKDT THURSDAY SEP 20 2012

...FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 PM AKDT THURSDAY...

TODAY- RAIN. HIGHS IN THE 50S. NORTH TO EAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH.

TONIGHT- RAIN. LOWS IN THE 40S. NORTH TO EAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH BECOMING SOUTH TO EAST 15 TO 25 MPH AFTER MIDNIGHT. 

FRIDAY- PARTLY SUNNY WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS. HIGHS IN THE LOWER TO MID 50S. SOUTHEAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH. LOCAL GUSTS TO 30 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT-RAIN LIKELY IN THE EVENING...THEN A CHANCE OF RAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE MID 40S TO LOWER 50S. EAST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH. LOCAL GUSTS TO 30 MPH.

Nine people were rescued from a flash flood by raft outside Wasilla last night near midnight. A  9-1-1 call was placed for a flood in an unexpected location, Seldon and Lucille roads, where no identified stream is located. The water was waist-deep in the home when the call was made.

A crew of six works to shore up dike next to Yoder road after 5 truck loads of rip-rap had been delivered from Palmer. Pictures taken by Stefan Hinman of the Mat-Su borough public affairs at around 7:45 pm Wednesday.

MAT-SU—Flooding overnight caused rivers to go over their banks flooding roads and closing some as a result of the high water.

Click through to see a list of Road Closures.   For more information contact (907)373-5378