The National Weather Service River Forecast Center and the State of Alaska Division of Homeland Security partners each spring to form River Watch. This program monitors river conditions along ice jam prone river, such as the Kuskokwim and Yukon, and provides seasonal break-up forecast, alerts and warnings, aerial observations, and emergency management assistance if flooding occurs. This spring, there is an above average potential for flooding due to cool spring temperatures, high snow load in the interior, and some areas of jumbled ice. Celina Van Breukelen, with the National Weather Service River Forecast Center, and Claude Denver, with DHS&EM’s Operation Section, joins Get Ready Alaska to discuss this year’s River Watch plans.
Additional River Watch Resources can be found at:
Current Breakup Outlook: https://www.weather.gov/aprfc/FGAK78PACR
Alaska Breakup Map: https://www.weather.gov/aprfc/breakupMap
Breakup Timing for the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers:
https://www.weather.gov/aprfc/riverView
DHS&EM Preparedness Information www.ready.alaska.gov
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