Residents of Talkeetna are being asked to evacuate the town after its dike system against heavy flooding failed Friday, according to local firefighters. The evacuation is now voluntary, although an initial order was mandatory.
Talkeetna Fire Department Battalion Chief Johnny Murdoch, the incident commander for flooding in the area, says the Susitna River started backing up to the Talkeetna River, causing the dike to fail.
According to local officials the decision to evacuate Talkeetna was made by Alaska State Troopers, with authorities expecting water to continue rising Friday afternoon.
The Associated Press reports that overnight rains in Talkeetna ranged from half an inch to 1 1/2 inches over a 6- to 8-hour period. The Talkeetna River was within a foot of its record stage of 17.4 feet, with officials telling the AP about 35 percent of Talkeetna has some form of water coverage.
Students from Talkeetna's elementary school were being bused to the local high school Friday. Traffic was blocked from entering Talkeetna until the evacuation was no longer mandatory, a change made shortly before 2 p.m.
In a flood warning effective through 10 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service says a levee protecting the town was breached as of 1 p.m. The Talkeetna River is 4 feet above flood stage, and expected to crest Friday evening.
“All persons in the vicinity of Talkeetna should take precautions now to protect life and property,” meteorologists wrote.
The NWS advises people to avoid crossing flowing streams -- even small ones – on foot, or driving across flooded roadways in cars, under the slogan “Turn around, don’t drown.”
Updates from the Mat-Su Borough's Facebook page have been posted in their entirety below:
Sue Deyoe reports
Hi everyone in talkeetna,
Sunshine Transit is now an emergency vehicle and has gone off its regular schedule. Please pass it on. We are helping anyone who needs assistance getting out of Talkeetna.
MAT-SU – 1139
Fire chief Farina and Steve Mahay both agree that flooding of the Town of Talkeetna is imminent. Authorities request that all residents evacuate the town immediately. The Sunshine Senior Center can accommodate 20 people. Talkeetna Elementary School is taking student to Su Valley High School. Please contact the School District for pickup info.
MAT-SU -- 12:02 p.m.
RED CROSS UPDATE. Anyone leaving Talkeetna voluntarily who would like to use a Red Cross shelter should report to the Sunshine Senior Center for shelter assignment. CV
MSBSD evacuating Talkeetna Elementary School at about 12:30 Friday
The Mat-Su Borough EOC has requested that the District evacuate Talkeetna Elementary School.
Talkeetna Elementary students will be moved to Su Valley Jr/Sr High School at about 12:30 today. Parents are being notified by the Principal, Mrs. Carol Wadman, that they may pick up their students at Talkeetna Elementary if they arrive before the buses are ready to transport to SVHS (between now and 12:30 p.m.). If parents are not at the school prior to transport, students may be picked up at SVHS.
SVHS will be used by the community as an overflow Red Cross Shelter--taking any overflow from the Upper Susitna Senior Citizens Center.
The Red Cross has notified Dr. Paramo that there will be no hurry for the high school students to leave school, so SVHS will complete its regular school day.
MAT-SU – 1233
Sunshine Transit is now an emergency vehicle and has gone off its regular schedule. Please pass it on. We are helping anyone who needs assistance getting out of Talkeetna.
This is a developing story. Please check KTUU.com and the Channel 2 newscasts for updates.
