Extensive flooding has been reported on the lower Yukon River this week as ice jams have made their way toward the sea, the National Weather Service reported.
About five homes in Russian Mission still had flood water in them, and on Wednesday a 17,000-gallon gas tank floated about town until people tied it down, local residents said.
"Fortunately, there wasn't any fuel spilled or leaked," said Phillip Duffy, the village traditional council's transportation specialist.
The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said it was sending a team to the village Thursday.
The National Weather Service has a flood warning in effect through this afternoon for the Yukon from Russian Mission to Pilot Station. A flood watch is in effect through Monday afternoon from St. Marys to Emmonak and Alakanuk on the Bering Sea coast.
The service reported a significant ice jam lodged about five miles upriver of Pilot Station, holding back about 40 miles of ice and causing extensive flooding. Its upper end was about 10 miles upriver of Marshall.
On Thursday, water remained below the bank at Pilot Station, and there was open water down river to St. Marys. But low-lying areas of Pilot Station were still expected to flood.
"They still have like 40 miles of ice that hasn't released," said Pepper Weimer, a weather service technician. "Pilot Station will see sharp rises in the level of water when the jam releases."
Flooding could get severe if a jam develops below St. Marys. River ice down river from there was generally intact, making chances of a jam forming there higher than elsewhere, Weimer said.
Water levels at Russian Mission fell slightly into Thursday, though the airport was still underwater and the strip was closed. In Marshall, water levels had remained steady; the road to its airport was impassable by vehicle.
Farther down river, water was beginning to rise in side channels in the Emmonak area, according to the homeland security division.
Flooding has affected almost every community along the Yukon to some degree -- Eagle Village was largely destroyed -- since breakup began this month, pushing floodwaters and ice down river.
Two teams consisting of state and local officials and members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency plan to survey the lengths of the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers. In a statement released Thursday, Gov. Sarah Palin said the assessment was the first step in rebuilding the communities.
The American Red Cross of Alaska said it has bought 2,000 pounds of food that is being sent to Tanana and is giving food to Stevens Village residents who are in temporary housing in Fairbanks. Cleanup supplies are also being shipped to Fort Yukon.
Find Elizabeth Bluemink online at adn.com/contact/ebluemink or call 257-4317. Find James Halpin online at adn.com/contact/jhalpin or call 257-4589.
Flood waters ebbed somewhat Thursday in the village of Russian Mission, but about eight families have evacuated their homes and the airport remained underwater.
Extensive flooding has been reported on the lower Yukon River this week as ice jams have made their way toward the sea, the National Weather Service reported.
About five homes in Russian Mission still had flood water in them, and on Wednesday a 17,000-gallon gas tank floated about town until people tied it down, local residents said.
"Fortunately, there wasn't any fuel spilled or leaked," said Phillip Duffy, the village traditional council's transportation specialist.
The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said it was sending a team to the village Thursday.
The National Weather Service has a flood warning in effect through this afternoon for the Yukon from Russian Mission to Pilot Station. A flood watch is in effect through Monday afternoon from St. Marys to Emmonak and Alakanuk on the Bering Sea coast.
The service reported a significant ice jam lodged about five miles upriver of Pilot Station, holding back about 40 miles of ice and causing extensive flooding. Its upper end was about 10 miles upriver of Marshall.
On Thursday, water remained below the bank at Pilot Station, and there was open water down river to St. Marys. But low-lying areas of Pilot Station were still expected to flood.
"They still have like 40 miles of ice that hasn't released," said Pepper Weimer, a weather service technician. "Pilot Station will see sharp rises in the level of water when the jam releases."
Flooding could get severe if a jam develops below St. Marys. River ice down river from there was generally intact, making chances of a jam forming there higher than elsewhere, Weimer said.
Water levels at Russian Mission fell slightly into Thursday, though the airport was still underwater and the strip was closed. In Marshall, water levels had remained steady; the road to its airport was impassable by vehicle.
Farther down river, water was beginning to rise in side channels in the Emmonak area, according to the homeland security division.
Flooding has affected almost every community along the Yukon to some degree -- Eagle Village was largely destroyed -- since breakup began this month, pushing floodwaters and ice down river.
Two teams consisting of state and local officials and members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency plan to survey the lengths of the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers. In a statement released Thursday, Gov. Sarah Palin said the assessment was the first step in rebuilding the communities.
The American Red Cross of Alaska said it has bought 2,000 pounds of food that is being sent to Tanana and is giving food to Stevens Village residents who are in temporary housing in Fairbanks. Cleanup supplies are also being shipped to Fort Yukon.
Find Elizabeth Bluemink online at adn.com/contact/ebluemink or call 257-4317. Find James Halpin online at adn.com/contact/jhalpin or call 257-4589.
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