1995 South Central Fall Flood
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

Background on the Flood
The rain started September 19, 1997, which was a result of Typhoon Oscar. Although most typhoons move West, Typhoon Oscar veered North, hitting Japan with some of its worst weather since World War II before traveling across the Aleutian Islands, over the Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island and into the Gulf of Alaska.

About 9 inches of rain landed in Seward within a 24 hour period. State authorities closed the Seward Highway (the only way in and out of town) after rain swept across a quarter-mile stretch of road near Milepost 3 - just before a series of bridges spanning the Resurrection River on the north edge of town. In Girdwood, raw sewage washed into a pair of creeks after officials shut down the wastewater plant when it was overwhelmed by volumes of mud and water. North of Anchorage, State highway crews worked more than 6 hours to clear a four inch layer of muck caused by a landslide. The Kenai area had severe flooding also. Evacuation of the Kenai Keys and Poacher's Cove areas were issued. The water rose so much that many people living near the rivers had to use their boats for transportation.

HMGP for the 1995 Fall Flood
The Alaska received $1,185,588 via the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for the 1995 Fall Flood. The Federal Emergency Management Agency funded 75% of the grant, and the State of Alaska provided the additional 25%.

List of HMGP Projects
Six projects were approved for funding.

The Projects and Grant Recipients are:

	Railroad Bridge Replacement at Milepost 4.8 in Seward - During the 1986 and 1995 flood the bridge at milepost 4.8 filled with debris causing loss of embankment, bridge damage, and upstream flooding of the Camelot by the Sea Subdivision. This grant allowed the Alaska Railroad Corporation to replace the 14 foot trestle spans with a 60 foot clear span structure that allows passage of large debris.
	Installation of Stream and Precipitation Gauges - A lack of stream flow and precipitation data was a severe problem throughout the Kenai Peninsula Borough during the 1995 flood. This grant allows the National Weather Service to install new sites and upgrade current locations. The new information gathered from these gauges will assist the National Weather Service in predicting floods.
	NOAA Weather Radio Transmitters - The NOAA weather radio system is a tool for providing up to date weather and hazard information to residents. This information has the potential to save lives and property in a variety of hazards. The Kenai Peninsula Borough is the grant recipient.
	Mobile Emergency Sirens - The mobile siren units offer a versatile tool for alerting residents in outlying areas of impending danger. They allow more citizens to be notified of emergency situations in a timely manner. Kenai Peninsula Borough is the grant recipient.
	Armor Protection for Lowe River Levee in Valdez - The levee was constructed to divert floodwater that was threatening subdivisions during the 1995 flood. However, it was determined that it would not be able to protect property in a future flood. The grant provides for riprap and grading. The City of Valdez is the grant recipient.
	Seward Comprehensive Flood Mitigation Project - The Resurrection River and Japanese Creek flooding caused significant damage in the 1995 flood. This grant allows for the development of a comprehensive mitigation flood project for both areas. This project involves coordination with various State, Federal, and local agencies. Back to the HMGP Page Mitigation Home Page

If you have questions about mitigation, or the HMGP, e-mail Alaska's Hazard Mitigation Officer, Mark Roberts.

P.O. Box 5750, Fort Richardson, AK 99505-5750
Phone: (907)428-7000 Fax: (907)428-7009
dhs&em_emergency_mgmt@ak-prepared.com

1995 South Central Fall Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

1995 South Central Fall Flood
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program