 |
| Flooding in Seward, Alaska. |
Chuck Van Ornum escaped from his home near Willow Creek with nothing but his 14-year-old dog, named Dammit.
His area of Friday Road, just off Hatcher Pass Road in the Willow area, was rushing with what looked like whitewater when he left in the dark Wednesday night. The water was so deep that his station wagon briefly floated as he tried to drive down the road.
"It's the scariest thing I've ever done," he said. "And I've been shot, I've done everything."
Van Ornum ended up spending the night at a Red Cross shelter set up at the Willow Community Center. About 25 people were expected to take shelter there Thursday night, a staff member said, up from five the night before.
I'm sorry but when anything knocks down being shot to the second scariest thing that has ever happened to you, you know that new thing must be scary as shit!
Dennis said that his place was all flooded as well and some of the roads were washed out, and even the Old Glenn highway was flooded.
My backyard looks like a Mississippi bayou right now and there is a mushroom growing in the yard so big that I will be able to take cover beneath it the next time the skies open up again.
Well now I guess we know why Sarah Palin is doing her Fox interviews from sunny La Vegas don't we? That's the same thing she did when she was governor, run at the first sign of trouble.
Coward!
Wow, AK weather sounds just horrendous right now. Isn't it early (or late) in the year to get hurricane-like weather?
ReplyDeleteSaw this from @BreakingStorm (they abbreviated AK wrong):
Dikes protecting Talkeetna, Ala., breached in 3 places; serious flooding 'is imminent.' - @adndotcom http://bit.ly/VmelUb
Alaskans deserve a break from this, now!
Also, did you see this article?
Ex-soldier and father of two who posed with Sarah Palin 'sold girl, 14, as stripper and prostitute after he drugged and raped her'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2206659/Ex-soldier-father-charged-selling-14-year-old-girl-stripper-prostitute-drugged-raped-her.html
Here's the @BreakingStorm tweet URL:
https://twitter.com/breakingstorm/status/249271994460303360
Well Gryph, at least some of your fellow Alaskans voted for her for mayor and governor. Without that, she would never have had a national political opportunity. Alaska does have a LOT to atone for. (AND God/Naturehas a long track record of carpet, not precision, bombing.)
ReplyDeletewasn't the breathless ketamine addled skank/fraud/lyin' hack/fuk_tard coward supposed to further the cause of Alaska after $he resigned her fraudulent governorship ?!?
Deletehttp://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5189824n
Well, she won her last term as Mayor with only 900 votes and she barely eeked out enough votes to win as Governor with 48% vs 41% for Two Term Governor Tony Knowles (D). Andrew Halcro had a strong showing in that 2006 Gubernatorial Election with 9%. So, she won Mayor with less than 1000 people and only won Gov because we had a strong third party candidate.
DeleteI don't think those election results are enough to bring the wrath of the weather demons upon us. However, I firmly believe that Alaska is on the forefront of the havoc that Global Climate Change has to offer. Hold on to your hats Alaskans; it's always fun to challenge the weather up here, and it looks like there is a lot more fun and challenges headed our way!
At the least, Alaskans should have a diesel generator, hooked up to your electric panel and a spare. 55 gallons diesel to fill those generators and a cord of dry split wood for the wood stove. Another 55 gallon barrel of potable water in a place that will not get below freezing, 14 days of dehydrated meals and a few extra blankets. That will do ya when the winds blow and the power goes out and the snow gets deep or the rains come. Be prepared! That's the one thing this place has taught me.
Sign up for siftsort.com and use it to securely store important documents. This company was started after the founder saw what happened in LA after Katrina and is being used by BofA for its Merrill Lynch clients. First 2 GB of storage is free at the site above. Meets the security requirements of all the major banks.
DeletePlease Gryphen, Send some of that rain to Washington state. We desperately need it.
ReplyDeleteAgree..it's really smoky and I'm in the Tri-City area.
DeleteI'm in Federal Way so not affected by the smoke yet. Just hope the fires don't join together.
Delete
ReplyDeleteANCHORAGE, Alaska — The residents of the quirky Alaska tourist town of Talkeetna were asked to evacuate Friday because the nearby river continues to rise after heavy rains.
"It's beginning to look like an island," Renamary Rauchenstein told The Associated Press by telephone Friday afternoon. "It's rising pretty fast."
Flooding is causing problems over a wide swath of Alaska, from Talkeetna, near the base of Mount McKinley, to the port town of Seward, 175 miles to the south.
There were many roads closed or washed out and landslides from heavy rains during the week.
Overnight rain totals ranged from a half inch to 1.5 inches over a 6- to 8-hour period north of Anchorage, in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, said National Weather Service hydrologist David Streubel.
The Talkeetna River was 4 feet above flood level and within a foot of its record stage of 17.4 feet, Streubel said.
City officials said a levy west of town was breached in two or three places.
Water covered 35 percent of Talkeetna Friday afternoon, borough spokeswoman Mary Brodigan said, adding that flooding in the town 110 miles north of Anchorage was imminent. Sandbags were being placed along Main Street.
"I can smell the sewage," said Rauchenstein, who owns the Swiss Alaska Inn in Talkeetna with her husband, Vern.
She also is the parish director for Saint Bernard Catholic Church, and has placed a hose pumping fresh water in the building in an attempt to keep smelly flood water out.
A state community database lists Talkeetna population at about 900, but Brodigan said it's believed the evacuation request only covers about 100 people, including those living on the outskirts of town, from the Princess Lodge to the main part of Talkeetna.
The Rauchensteins planned to stay. "No, even if the power is out, it's not very cold this time of year, and we got a two-story building," she said.
For those wishing to leave, evacuation centers were being set up at a senior center and a school.
Talkeetna is the last stop for climbers heading to Mount McKinley, North America's tallest mountain. It also has an eclectic population, and long has been purported to be the inspiration for the Alaska town in the TV series, "Northern Exposure."
Flooding earlier in the week was reported in Seward, about 90 miles south of Anchorage. Schools, roads, businesses and one of two runways at the airport were closed.
Alaska Department of Transportation spokesman Rick Feller said it appears the situation "hasn't gotten any worse but it hasn't gotten any better."
Another storm was predicted to bring rain to the Seward area Friday night, but nothing like the level the city received earlier in the week, Streubel said.
It's been a tough weather month in Alaska: Anchorage has had three major wind storms, with some gusts reported over 110 mph. Trees fell into power lines leaving many people without electricity for days. The prediction of the third storm last weekend led to a rush on flashlights and propane cooking devices in Anchorage.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20120921/us-alaska-flooding/
Alaska should prepare for the unexpected, now more than ever
ReplyDelete...Climate change predictions certainly can’t claim to be as accurate as the marine weather forecasters. But what they have predicted so far has been represented uncannily in the weather extremes we have seen this year. Those punching numbers into big computers have seen predictions of extreme storms, increased precipitation and colder temperatures in parts of Alaska brought on by the disruption of ocean currents in the high Arctic.
Ask farmers in Mat Su how their summer has been going and they will tell you in no uncertain terms that temperatures have not been conducive to growing. Then there is the Northwest Alaska flooding and the Blizzicane storm last fall to consider, and the record snowfall amounts across much of the state. It’s been a wild year, that’s for sure. And if the scientists have it right, it’s going to continue to be wild.
So my question is -- how do we as a state prepare for this?
http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/alaska-should-prepare-unexpected-now-more-ever
So my question is -- how do we as a state prepare for this?
DeleteIf Sarah was still your governor you would print more "Where's Sarah" buttons.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Flooding continues to cause problems throughout Southcentral Alaska.
ReplyDeleteJeremy Zidek, spokesman for the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, says in a release that there have been reports of flooding, landslides and road closures throughout the area.
But there has been no report of major injuries.
Residents in East Talkeetna are being told to evacuate because of flooding.
The Red Cross has established three shelters in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and helped with another in Seward.
Weather problems are not confined to Southcentral Alaska.
Zidek says a landslide has blocked access from the village of Chenega to its airport, and state transportation officials are working to restore access. And an assessment team is in Tanacross to evaluate damage from Sunday's wind storm.
Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/20/4839935/flooding-landslides-plague-parts.html#storylink=cpy
FAIRBANKS - The Nenana River was flooding in Healy on Friday as a result of heavy rain on the south side of the Alaska Range.
ReplyDeleteThe weather service issued a flood warning for the Nenana River from Carlo Creek at 224 Mile Parks Highway all the way to its mouth at the Tanana River in Nenana until 12:15 p.m. Saturday.
Several inches of rain fell on the south side of the range overnight Thursday, according to meteorologist Jim Brader with the National Weather Service in Fairbanks.
The water in the Nenana River, which drains the south side of the Alaska Range, was already at record levels and was expected to rise another 6 to 8 inches before cresting sometime Friday night, Brader said.
The water level in the Nenana River was reported at 14.4 feet early Friday afternoon, the highest it's ever been according to records dating back to 1990, Brader said.
Low-lying areas from Carlo Creek to Nenana were expected to flood Friday and Saturday, Brader said.
Minor flooding was already occurring at the Usibelli Coal Mine in Healy, he said. Employees at the mine reported the boat launch was flooded and that water was over the bank and rising up on the shoulder of the road to the mine. The riverbank was eroding and several trees had fallen into the river, according to a statement issued by the weather service.
Water levels downstream of Healy will rise through Friday night and the Nenana River at Nenana is expected to crest early Saturday morning.
http://newsminer.com/bookmark/20234181-Flooding-reported-on-Nenana-River-as-heavy-rains-pound-Alaska-Range
Officials say there's about 35 percent of Talkeetna that has some type of water coverage.
ReplyDeleteAnd Matanuska-Susitna Borough spokeswoman Mary Brodigan says they expect more water.
She's been told a levy west of town breached in two or three places, and flooding was imminent.
Officials have asked people from the Princess Lodge to the main part of town to evacuate.
Er...the dogs name was...."Dammit"?
ReplyDeleteAnywho...Gryphen...maybe God's wrath is so Baldy won't come back up there and continue to defile the wonderful state of Alaska! In the meantime...stay safe and good luck!
Well, maybe he hates that screechy bitch that pretends to live there all the time now..
ReplyDeleteIsn't Alaska where everyone is to go to wait for the Rapture or some such thing?
ReplyDeleteNah, you'll just come out of your clothes, and float up into the sky; where you'll be greeted by George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, singing Kumbaya with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
DeletePraise Jeebus!
To all Alaskans,
ReplyDeleteGood luck and stay safe
I'm in sunny So Cal. We just saw the Shuttle Endeavor making her rounds around California, and landing today, at LAX. Her last voyage. It was awesome.
ReplyDeleteYeah where is she when her “great state” is in distress? Why aren’t she and Tawd at the WIllow shelter handing out cots and Russian tea? Or helping neighbirs in the Matsu? What a sham person and family.
ReplyDeleteNot to worry! If and WHEN ole SP 2.0 declares a SOE so you guys will get FEDERAL help! PBO will send out FEDERAL aid to help everyone. Why hasn't that bastard declared yet? Well hope y'all remember this when its time to VOTE! Vote in a Dem!
DeleteStay safe.
Oh, and Baldy flaunting her man-tan face last night, I do hope the dead lake rose up and swallowed her houses! Fuck her.
It's not god causing the extreme weather. It's climate change. Time to rethink our way of life. Or not. We'll just have to get used to scary weather.
ReplyDeleteI hope it rains 40 days and 40 nights in the Valley. That place needs to be washed clean of Christan Evangelicals and meth heads and re-populated. The valley has a lot to atone for...... The Palins, Vic Kohring, Bev Masek, Kristin Cole, Corey Rossi, Scot Ogan, etc etc.
ReplyDeleteI hope you all get some relief soon.
ReplyDelete“We are in a planetary emergency,” said [NASA climate expert James] Hansen, decrying “the gap between what is understood by scientific community and what is known by the public.”
http://www.americablog.com/2012/09/were-in-planetary-emergency-thanks-to.html
Arctic sea ice breaks earlier record low
http://www.americablog.com/2012/09/arctic-sea-ice-breaks-earlier-record-low.html
http://www.americablog.com/2012/09/massive-worldwide-slaughter-of-farm.html
Wow! Thanks for that.
DeleteWe're fucked.
:(
Wow. When the country's top scientist says we have a planetary emergency, we should be paying attention. Unfortunately, nobody cares.
DeleteStart building your arks, everybody. And buy a stash of that freeze dried food, too, and if you don't already have a gun, buy one and learn how to use it.
That's scary and knowing that the temperatures have dropped as you showed the pics with some snow already.
ReplyDeleteTo lighten it up, here is a graphic that I think is one of the best I've seen about Mitt and the 47% that was just sent to me
http://i1264.photobucket.com/albums/jj497/Libprog/58727_369687399774941_1505039499_n_zps7ad6be99.jpg
Snowline is about 5000 feet right now and there is no chance of freezing below 3000 feet in the next 12 days. Actually, aside from the floods and the winds, this has been a very warm and extended fall season. Looks like we might enjoy a snow free October as well, if one is to believe the extended 1 month NOAA forecast! YEE HAA global climate change!
DeleteWow! So sorry to hear this, Gryphen. Floods are very scary, especially flash flooding. My area of the country is prone to flash flooding, and we take it very seriously. Do NOT drive into standing water! You have no way of knowing if the road/structure under the water has been compromised.
ReplyDeleteStay safe!
I live on a hill just outside of Wasilla but there is a little housing development a few miles away from us that was totally inundated with water a few nights ago. They were really cute single family homes in a small cul-de-sac but unfortunately they were built in a marsh, in a bowl, and they are totally flooded and most likely a total loss. The builder had to know he was building in a marsh and should be held accountable, however, he probably won't be. When this development was planned we asked the borough not to approve it because it was a marsh area that was prone to flooding but the plans for these little homes went thru and now these folks have lost everything. Saddest thing I've heard tonight was that Talkeetna is being evacuated as the dikes have been breached that hold the river and now the river is becoming one with the town.
ReplyDeleteThat is what regulations are for. That is so sad for the buyers, but they should have done due diligence and investigated the flood plain. Around my neck of the woods the insurance company's need to approve if you live in a flood plain or you can't get a mortgage.. Does Alaska have those sorts of regs or did Sarah say we don;t need no stinking regs?
DeleteStay safe Gryphen. We wouldn't want your house floating miles towards the Valley of Death--I mean meth-near the Grifters shack.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this, flooding sucks. Especially if you have experienced it. It is a powerful force. Many years back, living where I do, the effects of hard rain or a minor tropical storm or only a Cat 1 hurricane brought 2-5' of water in. Now it's 5-8' easy. Hurricane Ivan...15' inside my last house. recently Isaac was a "knee deeper" many miles East of landfall. Hello global warming. Be safe people and please do not try to drive through it, even if you have a "high-up" 4 wheeler. It doesn't matter, water is more powerful than you think, even if it's "just a couple of feet".
ReplyDeleteIvan even made it up here where I live, SE IN. It was a helluva storm with staying power no one had seen for many long years.
Deletewow you guys are having some shitty weather gryphen! I hope it clears up soon and all is well!
ReplyDeleteI do think a lot of this year's weather all over the world is from climate change and global warming. Just take care, stay safe. Tough times don't last, tough people do.
ReplyDeleteHis dog is named Dammit? Hahahaha! I think that's what I'm going to name my next pet.
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, hope you're all okay up there. Stay dry.
Sorry to say but you better get used to it. Wild weather is the new normal.
ReplyDeleteBuh buh But..... where are all the prayer warriors praying? Oh, they will say "this would be alot worse if we weren't praying"
ReplyDeleteNo fools, weather is weather and it happens in cycles.
Or, god really hates the Palins.
Or, all the negativity the Palin;s have brought to Alaska has caused negativity upon it's soil.
Well, good luck with that, whatever it is.
Whoa. That is very intimidating-looking. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteI guarantee you that my next dog will abso-positively be named "Dammit"! I'm just afraid that my other dog "HEYStopDrinkingOutOfTheToilet" will be jealous.
ReplyDelete