Rural Alaska

Yukon River flooding damages airport runway in Emmonak, Alaska

Ice clogging Alaska's Yukon River has worked its way downstream, moving slowly closer to the state's southwestern coast and the Bering Sea. With spring in full swing, ice jams were almost history, but the Yukon clogged up once more and caused flooding in the villages of Emmonak and Alakanuk.

Sea ice and river ice downstream from the two communities are causing an ice jam, and minor flooding may occur for several days, according the National Weather Service.

"Minor" flooding is an understatement, said Jack Schultheis, general manager of Emmonak-based Kwik'Pak Fisheries. The town is cut off from the airport, as the roadway is washed out, he said. Schultheis's home wasn't inundated with water, but the fish plant's fillet factory flooded with more than a foot of water.

Equipment was moved to higher ground. Although the community received little warning about the flood, the business was prepared, Schultheis said. The business is in "pretty good shape." The general manager is more worried about the floods interfering with the start of the fishing season.

By Schultheis' account, the flooding began Tuesday morning. He awoke to find water flowing over some of the village's streets. Currently, he's simply watching and waiting. He said he hopes state efforts will pick up sooner than later.

The Alaska Department of Homeland Security received reports that the Emmonak airport's runway split down the middle, said spokesman Sam Hutchinson. So, no planes are able to take off. Emmonak's residents last received mail on Monday, and the store's food stocks are running low, Schultheis said.

The city manager established a shelter Tuesday, but no one stayed for the night. It's unclear what structures are flooded, Hutchinson said.

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Homeland Security has been in contact with the community's city manager throughout Wednesday.

"The city's administration is handling the initial response to the ice jam flood with care," Hutchinson said, "and the state is ready to step in with supplies if requested."

Meanwhile, the nearby community of Alakanuk is under water, too. A total of six residents -- either elderly or people in poor health -- were evacuated as a precaution, Hutchinson said.

The community opened a shelter of its own, but no one stayed Tuesday night. City officials are reportedly evaluating the Alakanuk's needs, and Homeland Security may deliver drinking water in the coming days.

But so far, in both communities situated near the mouth of the Yukon are handling their problems locally. Health clinics remain open, and power is up and running, Hutchinson said.

Contact Jerzy Shedlock at jerzy(at)alaskadispatch.com

Jerzy Shedlock

Jerzy Shedlock is a former reporter for Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2017.

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