Anchorage Daily News

Efforts are under way in Eagle to assess the damage caused when ice jams on the Yukon River caused massive flooding in the community.

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Residents, meanwhile, living on the Kuskokwim River are keeping a close eye on flooding there. Thirty-seven people in Akiak have been evacuated to Bethel because of flooding. Most of them are elders, pregnant women and children. Those remaining in the town have taken shelter in the village school.

"Water has also been rising around Bethel and we are keeping an eye on that," Jeremy Zidek, spokesman with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said Sunday.

The village of Kwethluk also is a concern, he said.

Most residents of Stevens Village have evacuated instead of waiting for the flood waters in that town. About 20 people remained to perform emergency procedures. There were reports Sunday of flooding in Stevens, Zidek said.

He said McGrath officials are working with a contractor in that town to stabilize a levy.

"There would be flooding in McGrath if that levy were to fail," Zidek said.

Akiak has received diesel fuel, a diesel transfer pump, potable water, food, and other items. Homeland Security also has provided a satellite phone for emergency communications.

The Alaska Army National Guard also is sending water to Eagle. Two 400-gallon water tanks will depart from Fairbanks and two, 400-gallon tanks from Anchorage. The tanks will be filled in Tok.

The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for Akiak, Bethel, Kwethluk, Tuluksak and Napakiak.

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