Butte residents threatened by Matanuska

PALMER — Matanuska-Susitna Borough officials are keeping one eye on the weather and the other on the Matanuska River this week as rising water levels and erosion are once again threatening homes along the Old Glenn Highway near the Butte.

Borough Emergency Manager Casey Cook said Tuesday that so far, residents in a area between Mile 13 and 15 of the Old Glenn are being asked to “hold in place” for now, but to be prepared to evacuate to high ground should the call be needed.

“We are in contact with those residents and are just telling them to be ready,” Cook said.

Steady rain during the weekend coupled with summer glacial melt have raised water levels along the river, but Cook said the position of the river channel, which has swung far to the east, is creating most of the problems.

“It is the channel more than anything,” he said.

Cook said some 25 homes could be affected, adding that including outbuildings and other structures “it’s probably around 60.” He added that the borough could get word in August from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on a proposed property buyback program.

On Tuesday, birch trees that had been recently washed into the river not far from the bike trail piled up on nearby sandbars. A Matanuska Electric Association crew checked the status of a power pole that was still more that 15 feet from the riverbank, where the water lapped near the edge.

If flooding occurs, the borough recommends residents prepare for a possible evacuation by gathering important documents, medications, photos and pet supplies. Cook said a shelter would be set up in partnership with the Red Cross.

While scattered showers have replaced last weekend’s steady rain in recent days, Cook said the forecast shows a return to wetter pattern toward the weekend.

“We will be keeping an eye on it,” he said.