Flooding Update: Talkeetna River remains below flood stage

Heavy rain over the last few days has led to rising waterways and some flooding. As of Tuesday, as much as three inches of rain fell in parts of the Upper Valley. That precipitation turned to a wintry mix by Tuesday afternoon.

The rainfall caused creeks and rivers to swell. Willow Creek and Montana Creek at the Parks Highway reached minor flood stage by Tuesday afternoon. According to the Mat-Su Borough, Burrows Road in Willow has water running across it, and motorists are being told to avoid the area. Kenny Boulevard in Willow is reportedly eroding into Willow Creek. In the Talkeetna area, water from Montana Creek is flowing on both sides of the road from Montana Creek. A photo on the borough’s Facebook page shows high water around Kalispell Road, but the road has not flooded as of Tuesday afternoon.

The Talkeetna River remains in “action stage,” which is one step below minor flood stage, at the railroad bridge. Upstream, the river is below action stage. All area streams are currently forecast to crest sometime Wednesday. The Talkeetna River is not projected to reach flood stage.

The Mat-Su Borough has set up and emergency operation center in response to the flooding. The borough has also set up a number to call for flood information. For information, area residents can call 861-8328.