Rain, rain, here to stay for much of the week

One look out the windows and it is easy to see what the weather forecast for the next week-gloomy, rainy, and chilly. This comes after much of the Mat-Su Borough experienced blustery, wet weather over the weekend as a familiar pattern of weather seen in the Alaskan fall takes hold of the area.

For the week, the Mat-Su is gearing up for a very wet stretch of weather as an area of low pressure burrowed in between two areas of high pressure will bring moisture into the region. Current forecasts suggest that while winds won’t be much of an issue with this system, it will be very wet with flooding possible for local rivers and streams. Heavy rain will stay confined to coastal regions of Southcentral, further inland areas will still see heavy rainfall.

A flood watch issued over the weekend has been upgraded to a flood warning for some areas, specifically in the Susitna Valley, with flooding caused by excessive rainfall expected.

The Yentna, Skwentna and Susitna Rivers remain under flood watch until 6 p.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service, which issued the watch states that possible flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. People are advised to take immediate precautions for safety and to move threatened property to higher ground.

Local reports say that the Yenta River is over bank in many locations with overbank flooding also along the Skwentna River. As of Monday afternoon, over bank water depths along the Yentna River were estimated between 1 and 3 feet with cabins and outbuildings at numerous lodges being reported as flooding. River levels were reported to be possibly the highest in the last ten years.

Moderate rain is expected to continue in the headwaters of the Skwentna and Yentna Rivers through Tuesday afternoon with an additional 1 to 3 inches possible. Water levels on the Yentna and Skwentna Rivers are expected to continue rising through Wednesday.

A flood advisory issued for the Talkeetna River lead to some road closures On the Talkeetna Spur and Oilwell Roads as water overtopped the roadways. Mahay’s Boat Launch and E. Talkeetna River Access also experienced flooding.

Meanwhile, others roads continue to be monitored, particularly the Old Glenn Highway near E Baker Blvd and also near South Wycoff Drive as waters are filling ditches and encroaching the roadways.

Water levels for the Little-Su River in Houston rose in to minor flood stage Sunday morning, and the river was running at a good clip on Monday evening.

Residents along the riverfront property in the Enchanted Forest subdivision just off the Parks Highway remained watchful as the river levels were slightly overbank along the low lying areas. Last year, water levels exceeding minor flood stage resulted in flood impacts to several properties near the Little Susitna River.

The rain will increase in intensity throughout Monday, with the heaviest rain arriving by the afternoon. It’s likely that inland locations could see up to, if not more than half an inch of rain by nightfall.

Residents living near or along any creeks, streams, or rivers are reminded to stay alert and be prepared to take action should flooding develop. Storm drains should be kept clear of debris as much as possible.

Stay tuned to further developments by listening NOAA Weather Radio for further information. Visit www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Please stay tuned to NOAA weather station by visiting: www.weather.gov/Anchorage