Willow Creek Flooding

Ice jams in Willow Creek continue to push slush and ice out of the water channel and onto roadways on the Willow side of Hatcher Pass, alarming some homeowners.

Emergency personnel are keeping a close watch and are ready to assist.

Yesterday (Nov. 19) a home near Willow Creek had water up to its porch. The Red Cross reports the family, who lives off Kenny Blvd, stayed with friends overnight. A day earlier another family decided to leave their home, off Deneki Road, because of the threat of flooding.

The roadways are at about mile 3.3 off the Willow-Fishhook Road. Today one foot of water is reported to be at the intersection of Michelle/Gina/Shadoe roads.

 The Borough Public Works Department had Deneki Road cleared of slush earlier this week. Deneki is the only access route for about four homes. Before the clearing it was temporarily blocked by some six to eight inches of water and slush on Tuesday. Temperatures then were 30 below.

Late Wednesday night at about 10:30 p.m., Dispatch reported that one house was flooding on Deneki and the family was evacuating. Willow fire and rescue personnel were sent to the flooding area to evaluate the severity of the flooding and to assist in any possible evacuations. Willow Assistant Chief Marvin Rankin stayed on-scene and monitored the flooding until 3 a.m. Thursday, at which time he noted that the flooding had not increased, and had stopped.

“This pattern will likely remain until it warms up enough for the ice to stop jamming the creek,” said Dennis Brodigan, Director of Emergency Services for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
Warmer temperatures are expected this weekend.

Late Thursday afternoon, Nancy Hall of the Red Cross, reported a home on the other side of the creek from Deneki Drive, off of Kenny Blvd, has water up to the porch.  The family stayed with friends last night. The Red Cross will help them if necessary.

  Assistant Chief Rankin surveyed the area and noted that the water was flowing and there were approximately three homes that may have a flooding problem.  The primary problem is getting access to the homes; rather than a direct flooding threat to the structures.  He indicated that there probably is nothing that can be done to stop the water, and continued to monitor the situation for any escalation of flooding and evacuation assistance, if needed.

Yesterday, Assistant Chief Rankin traveled to Kelley Circle, and observed the water beginning to come over the end of the road there. There is only one structure back there and it is well back from the water.