Parks Highway still open at Houston

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER--Officials are keeping the Parks Highway open at mile 58 at Houston. Earlier the highway had rising water on one lane, but the water stopped rising after midnight. As long as one lane is clear, officials will keep the highway open.

Near mile 56, water is flowing from the Little Susitna River onto King Arthur Road, a major route into the east side of Houston near the Parks Highway.

Volunteer firefighters who live in the area report water inside some homes near mile 58. Emergency personnel and the MAT-SU Borough dive rescue team, are offering to assist and evacuate residents in the area.

Three neighborhoods are a priority. A subdivision at the end of Miller's Reach Road on N. Lujon Street is threatened by water. Off King Arthur Drive, water is encroaching on part of the Enchanted Forest subdivision closest to the Little Su River. At mile 58, water is holding steady near homes there. Emergency responders are going door to door in these areas urging evacuation for those who have not left already.

About 1,500 people live in Houston, many near these affected roadways.

The Willow Community Center is open and ready for residents who need shelter. The other two shelters at Larson and Su Valley schools are closed.

The Borough's Emergency Operations Center continues to monitor the situation and has ordered resources such as National Guard and Alaska Defense Force personnel, sandbags, volunteers, and barricades through the state Emergency Coordination Center at Fort Richardson.

According to the National Weather Service Web site, the water level of the Little Su River at the Parks Highway Bridge was 13.98 feet at 9 pm Saturday. That is a foot above major flood stage and higher than the posted historical crests of 12.5 feet in 1986 and 10.88 feet in 1982. Scattered showers are in the forecast. A flood warning is issued through Sunday.

At least one water level has dropped. The Little Susitna River at Schrock Road has dropped one foot as of 11 pm.

Other updates include:

• Yoder Road in Talkeetna, water at Montana Creek is down
• Montana Creek Road, water is rising
• Petersville Road between Petersville and Trapper Creek is open
• Oil Well Road is closed through Sunday near Petersville
• Chase Trail has drained, (north of Talkeetna)
• Susitna River Road, along the Parks farther than the Y, is accessible with four-wheel drive
• Farther up the Parks at mile 137, the Parks remains closed.

Gov. Frank Murkowski toured the MAT-SU Borough today, and declared it a state disaster.

For more information visit the Borough Web site at www.matsugov.us.