Heavy rainfall has washed out Petersville Road in ten places on the western side of Cache Creek Cabins on Cache Creek. Pilot Udo Cassee of Sheldon Air Service says there are two river crossings where the road has disappeared. And Petersville Search and Rescue Strategic Commander Michele Stevens says there are five or six long washouts with people trapped between them.
State Representative Kevin McCabe is working with the State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to address the washouts, but he says beyond Cache Creek, the Department of Natural Resources owns the road. Stevens says she’s thankful for DNR and DOT working over the holiday weekend to find solutions.
In addition, local miners have offered to use their own equipment to help rebuild the roads.
Stevens reports a headcount of more than 30 stranded individuals, including three children. She also reports that there are usable airstrips at Dollar, Falls, and Nugget Creeks. Cassee says he has flown several people back to Talkeetna and dropped supplies for a miner.
McCabe says he’s concerned about residents not being prepared for the shoulder season. Without road access, they will be unable to get fuel back to their remote cabins. His goal is to get the roads repaired before the shoulder season starts. But with continued rainfall, the water is rising again.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as they become available.
