Residents, local and state crews working to combat recent flooding near Palmer

In a near repeat from last year, the Matanuska River has once again flooded over its banks as the National Weather Service issued a flood advisory the Matanuska River near Butte, mainly around the Old Glenn Highway and Maud Road.

The advisory comes after a combination of elevated water levels from recent snow melt and river bank erosion along the Matanuska River caused the waters to spill over. Water has been breaking through parts of the river bank, causing localized flooding.

Water levels will gradually recede in the coming days, but residents affected by areas of new river bank erosion should continue to monitor the situation for further updates, officials say, as flooding from the Matanuska River is impacting properties, power lines, and the bike path along the Old Glenn Highway between mileposts 13 and 15 in the vicinity of Maud Road.

“Right now, Alaska DOT contractors are working to do emergency protective measures between the Matanuska River and the highway,” said Mat-Su Borough Emergency Manager Casey Cook. He expects the work to take 7-10 days to complete.

Crews from Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) have also responded to the flooding, stabilizing the power lines as the rushing water has washed away soil around the base of the poles.

While MEA does not anticipate further flooding, but warns that if conditions do change, approximately 400 members in the Maud Road area could experience a power outage. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep members informed of any updates,” MEA wrote on social media.

The water is not impacting the highway or travel through the area at this time. The American Red Cross is preparing in case a shelter is needed.

Cook is asking the public to stay away from the section of the Old Glenn Highway affected by the flooding.

“Please stay away if possible so the heavy equipment can get in and get to work. We’re also asking the public to stay off the bike path. We don’t need anyone to risk getting hurt while work goes on.”

This is not the first time the Matanuska River has shown her might, having encroached on properties for years and swallowing up homes that dotted the riverbank for decades. Most recently, last year Alaska DOT crews made emergency repairs to the Glenn Highway near milepost 63.6 near Sutton after erosion from the Matanuska River undercut a section of the highway.

In 2018, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded the Mat-Su Borough a grant funding the acquisition of land and structures for five homes in the same stretch that were marked as being at severe risk for flooding and erosion damage along the Matanuska River. It was part of a bigger grant that included properties and land in the Butte along the river that were also being lost to the glacier-fed river.

While the flooding is impacting roughly 10 private properties and businesses, there have been no evacuations ordered. The American Red Cross is preparing in case a shelter is needed.

Meanwhile, Cook said with the decrease in temperatures outside, waters are expected to recede, at which time officials with the Mat-Su Borough will work to rebuild the damaged section of Maud Road.