Emergency officials in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough are alerting residents along the Matanuska River of high, fast-moving water.
Fire officials knocked on doors in the Butte Tuesday night warning of potential flooding from riverbank erosion. Borough staff met again Wednesday with residents in Sutton whose property is eroding into the river.
MatSu Borough officials say the deep snowpack, warm temperatures above 70 recently, and rain showers have pumped the glacial river with water.
According to a press release from the MatSu Borough, areas at risk of erosion are mile 13 through 16 along the Old Glenn Highway in the Butte and areas experiencing erosion are farther up the Glenn Highway in Sutton from miles 64 to 67, where a homeowner lost 35 feet of land in two days.
Officials said no homes in the Butte are affected as of Wednesday. The standing water is about a half mile north of many homes.
“We will provide sandbags to residents, but will not place them,” Borough Emergency Manager Casey Cook said. “If more are needed, we have the ability to take our sandbagger out and fill bags for residents in affected areas."
The Borough says it has assembled its Flood Task Force to monitor the hazard.
Recreational users of the river are being advised to stay out of it. Officials say the water is moving at 20,000 cubic feet per second, as of Wednesday.
Residents who want more information or are experiencing flooding can call 373-8800.
Sandbags are at the Butte Fire Station, and the Central Landfill. Flood information packets are available at the Sutton Library and Sutton Fire Station and Butte Fire Station.
