/C SGOP99 PAFA 122248
247 PM ADT WED MAY 12 2004

MEMORANDUM FOR:    The Record

FROM:         WFO Fairbanks - WCM John Lingaas, SH Ed Plumb

SUBJECT:      Flood, Delta Junction, AK May 8 - present

EVENT:        High freezing levels accompanied by heavy rains
              (> 1 inch) on May 6 and 7th resulted in a
              significant rain-on-snow event in the central Alaska
              Range. Remnant overflow icing on Jarvis Creek       
              (approx 10 mi south of Delta Junction) forced this  
              surge of water to flow overbank and into an old
              channel which flows through residential areas in    
              the vicinity of Delta Junction. Inadequate culverts 
              and raised roadbeds backed up water into residences 
              and over roads. The first flooding was observed near
              the Alaska Hwy about 4 mi southeast of Delta        
              Junction early Sat morning May 8th. The surge of    
              water pushed through the area into Sat night before 
              gradually retreating on Sun May 9th. Water has been 
              very slow to drain due to the flat relief in the    
              area and some flooding of low lying areas continues.
              This was noted by many long-time residents to be the
              worst flooding in Delta Junction in over 40 years.

LOCATION:     Delta Junction, AK...90 miles southeast of Fairbanks

OFFICES:      WFO Fairbanks, AK 

DEATHS:       None

INJURIES:     None

DAMAGE:       Eight to 10 miles of road damaged (Alaska Highway   
              intact). At one point 50 homes threatened with      
              flooding, with at least 14 homes impacted by        
              flooding. Exact number of houses impacted still     
              pending as AK Division of Homeland Security and
              Emergency Management continues to assess the damage.
              Dollar amount unknown at this time. 

WATCHES:      None

WARNINGS:     Flood Warning issued May 8, 1140 am ADT. Lead
              Time N/A as flooding was already in progress when
              first reported to NWS.

SERVICE:      Flood warning updated around 6pm Saturday and again 
              at 9pm.  From Sunday on, warning updated daily until
              downgraded to an advisory noon Wednesday. Frequent  
              coordination occurred with Alaska State Division of 
              Forestry at Delta Junction...which ensured accurate
              updates and impacts.  NWS personnel flew over       
              affected area Monday, presented findings to Delta   
              Junction and State officials on Tuesday.  NWS
              duty forecaster provided phone briefing Monday to
              officials with Delta Junction and the State of      
              Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency  
              Management regarding weather outlook for next 7-8   
              days to aid in response planning.
              
SYSTEMS:      WSR-88D - Not applicable to this type of flooding.  
                        Was used subsequently though to monitor   
                        weather features affecting the area.
              Satellite - Not applicable to this type of flooding.
                          Was used subsequently though to monitor 
                          weather features affecting the area.
              AWIPS - Used all observations as well as model
                       output to assess weather features affecting
                       the area which may impact flood situation.
              NWR/CRS - Warned area outside of service area for   
                        Tone Alarm/EAS activation. Warnings were  
                        broadcast using human voice.

RESPONSE:     Sandbagging of threatened homes occurred, State of  
              Alaska Department of Transportation cut one of the  
              main roads in three places to allow drainage.
              Mayor of Delta Junction made emergency declaration. 
              Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency  
              Management began assistance, taking over event      
              logistics from State Forestry office Tuesday. Red   
              Cross mobilized to provide assistance. Event        
              covered nearly daily Sunday through Tuesday by      
              Fairbanks and Anchorage newspapers, also by a       
              statewide TV news station on at least one day.