MSB Lost Two Structures Due to Flooding

This information is current as of 8 a.m.
Please refer to previous press releases for additional details.

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER-- Two structures have been lost due to the flooding in the MAT-SU Borough. The first structure, a cabin, fell into the Little Su River at Mile 8.3 of the Wasilla Fishhook Road at 3:45am. The second structure lost is a 12 x 12 cabin that has been washed into Moose Creek. Currently, the water has pinned the structure against the Moose Creek Bridge at Petersville Road. The bridge is not passable and the banks are eroding on either side of the bridge. In addition, the rain has resumed in Talkeetna and the rivers continue to rise.

The Parks Highway remains closed at Mile 121 and is expected to be closed for a number of days. The Parks Hwy is open to travelers from Anchorage to Trapper Creek until Mile 121. Travelers going to Fairbanks must take the Glenn Hwy to the Richardson Hwy. Travelers are advised to stay off the roads if at all possible. Crews are attempting to divert traffic from the affected areas. Reader boards on the Glenn Highway and in front of AIH in Wasilla are reporting on road conditions.

A 40 foot gap has developed between the bridge and the road located at Troublesome Creek at Mile 137 at the Parks Highway.

Shelters remain open at the Willow Community Center, Larson Elementary School, and Su Valley High. The power has been restored to Willow and the shelter remains open for individuals in the area. All shelter information is available at www.matsugov.us.

The Borough is beginning to assess community damage. Current cost estimates for response efforts as of 8 a.m. are at $33,000. The Borough will be conducting community-wide damage assessments of utilities, infrastructure and residences over the next few days to confirm the total cost of the damage caused by flooding.