NOTE:

This blog is maintained as an effort to coordinate and collocate responding agencies' information for easier public access during events on the Kenai Peninsula. The information here is written and provided by the contributing agencies. NOTE: The blog will be updated as the need arises and may be dormant at times.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

10/17/18 Heavy Equipment Operators Make Strides in the Seward - Bear Creek Flooded Areas



10.17.18 Seward Flood Response morning update


10/17/18 Seward Bear Creek Response Map

Click HERE to view response actions in the communities of Seward, Bear Creek and Lowell Point. This map, developed by the Kenai Peninsula Borough GIS Department, includes dynamic layers and attributes that will be updated as the situation changes.



Kenai Peninsula Borough Emergency Management
Public Information
907-714-2495 (8:00AM - 5:00PM)
sewardflood2018@gmail.com
Facebook @sewardflood2018

10/17/18 KPBSD Seward Area Schools Update

After the two-hour delay start today, Wednesday, October 17, 2018, Seward area schools will open, and the school day will end on a normal schedule.

The weather predictions and local conditions for Thursday and Friday will be closely monitored. 
Tip: The KPB and Office of Emergency Management created this informational page:https://www.facebook.com/sewardflood2018/

Previous Alert:

ALERT: TWO HOUR DELAY START* for these Seward area KPBSD schools on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2018 due to weather conditions.
Moose Pass School
Seward Elementary
Seward High School
Seward Middle School

If weather and road conditions warrant a full closure, an announcement will be made by 8:00 AM.
*A two hour delay means that buses run two hours later than normal, school begins two hours later than normal, and staff arrives at school two hours later than normal.
Parents and guardians, if you decide, based on conditions near you to keep your child at home, kindly call your school to let them know. Absences will be excused.




Tuesday, October 16, 2018

10/16/18 Response Efforts Captured from the Air

Local responders pushed, diverted or hardened embankments, levees and tunnels throughout the Seward, Bear Creek area in an effort to protect life and property as rains continued to increase flood waters. Please stay away from operations, give the right-of-way to heavy machinery or response vehicles, and heed road closure and safety signs.  Photography taken today 10/16/18 by Alaska Aerial Technologies.








Kenai Peninsula Borough Information 

907-714-2495 (8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

sewardflood2018@gmail.com

Facebook @sewardflood2018

Seward Area Schools Delay Start on 10/17/18


►ALERT: TWO HOUR DELAY START* for these Seward area KPBSD schools on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2018, due to weather conditions.

Moose Pass School
Seward Elementary
Seward High School
Seward Middle School

If weather and road conditions warrant a full closure, an announcement will be made by 8:00 AM.

*A two hour delay means that buses run two hours later than normal, school begins two hours later than normal, and staff arrives at school two hours later than normal.


Parents and guardians, if you decide, based on conditions near you to keep your child at home, kindly call your school to let them know. Absences will be excused.


10.16.18 Kenai Peninsula Borough evening update


10/16/18 City of Seward Flooding & Declaration of Emergency - Press Release #2

City of Seward, Alaska


Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at 4:40 p.m.

UPDATE:

The City Manager has called a Special Meeting on Friday, October 19, 2018 immediately following the adjournment of the work session for the City Council to approve a resolution for the Declaration of Emergency.

Residents of Seward and the surrounding area should avoid flooded areas and use caution around heavy equipment and machinery. 

Impacted areas from heavy rain, winds, and flooding are:
  • Lowell Creek Bridge & Waterfall – Closed to pedestrian traffic; limit vehicle traffic as crews from the Public Works Department work with local contractors to clear debris and remove gravel using heavy equipment and machinery.
  • Dieckgraeff Road – Gravel portion of road closed to vehicle traffic; water over the road; borough crews are working with local contractors using heavy equipment and machinery.
  • Mile 3.5 Seward Highway & Bikepath – Highway is open; use caution and limit speed; water over road.
  • Mile 5 Seward Highway at Bear Creek Fire Station – Highway is open; use extreme caution and limit speed; deep water over road.
  • Seward Airport – North runway is closed; deep standing water over most of the runway.
Road Closures:
  • Portions of the DIECKGRAEFF ROAD are closed.
  • SEWARD AIRPORT is closed.
Traffic advisories issued for all Seward area roads.

Updates to follow.
Information will also be provided on the city’s website at: http://www.cityofseward.us/

Brenda Ballou, City Clerk

10.16.18 Seward Flood Photos


                                                          Kwechak creek, South of Bruno road

Salmon creek

Salmon creek

South end of Bruno road

South end of Bruno road


10/16/18 City of Seward Special Meeting Friday 10/19/18

SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE

Pursuant to Seward City Code 2.10.030 (2), this is to serve as the written notice calling a Special City Council Meeting on Friday, October 19, 2018 immediately following the adjournment of the work session for the purpose of:

Resolution 2018-083, Declaring A State Of Emergency Due To Flooding Damage In The City Of Seward And Requesting Assistance.

The meeting will commence in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 410 Adams Street, Seward. All interested persons are invited to attend the meetings.

10/16/18 Borough Office of Emergency Management Opens Call Center


The Borough Office of Emergency Management has activated the OEM call center to provide information regarding the ongoing flood response in the Seward / Bear Creek area. For non-emergency information, call 907-714-2495. The call center is open 8:00AM to 5:00PM until further notice.

Public information 907-714-2495

10.16.18 Seward Flood update


If there is water across the road, slow down…or maybe even turnaround. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult. Only eighteen inches of flowing water can carry away most vehicles, including large SUVs.

Be prepared. It is always a good idea to have medication, important papers, and other key items ready to go in the event flooding occurs in your area.

Call (907) 714-2495 for non-emergency information

911 calls are for emergencies only!

For information: KPBoem.com

10/16/18: Seward Area School Closures

 

►ALERT: SEWARD SCHOOLS WILL RELEASE EARLY Tuesday, October 16, 2018 DUE TO AREA WEATHER

Due to predicted rain and area flooding, Seward schools are releasing early. Buses will run early today, on this schedule.

·         Seward High School: 12:00 release

·         Seward Middle School: 12:00 release

·         Seward Elementary: 12:30 release

All after-school programs are cancelled.

Use caution when traveling through this area.

The district will announce updates for school on Wednesday as further information becomes available later today.

Note: Moose Pass School will remain open on a normal schedule today. If parents are concerned, they can contact the school and pick up their children early.

For official information, in addition to www.KPBSD.org, and KPBSD social media, follow along with Kenai Peninsula Borough and coordinating agency alerts: http://kpboem.blogspot.com/

10/16/18 Kenai Peninsula Borough Declares State of Emergency


Mayor Charlie Pierce has declared a state of emergency for the Kenai Peninsula Borough due to flooding events affecting the Kenai Peninsula Borough. This declaration follows the City of Seward’s declaration of emergency also released today. Local resources are addressing impacts caused by storm water and debris that is damaging roads, bridges and public facilities. Communities included in the borough declaration are City of Seward, Bear Creek and Lowell Point, all within the Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area boundaries.

The declaration has been formally submitted to Governor Walker. With the governor’s approval, the State of Alaska Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management will provide assistance to the borough and to affected areas as directed.

The KPB Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is continuing its operations to provide resource requests to the City of Seward and to residents in the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area. The EOC continues to monitor rising water levels and to collect damage assessments throughout the borough.

KPB Public Information
907-714-2495

sewardflood2018@gmail.com

10/16/18 Notice of Special Assembly Meeting



10/16/18 Seward Bear Creek Flooding Response


Turn Around Don’t Drown! Heavy rainfall and breached streams are heavily impacting roads in the Seward, Bear Creek and Lowell Point communities. As of 10/16/18, the Solid Waste Transfer site and Dieckgraeff Road is closed as well as Bruno Road due to flooding and breached embankments. Use caution traveling to the Seward area, slow down when approaching water across roadways, watch for road closure and detour signs.

Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult. Only eighteen inches of flowing water can carry away most vehicles, including large SUVs. It is impossible to tell the exact depth of water covering a roadway or the condition of the road below the water. This is especially true at night when your vision is more limited.  It is never safe to drive or walk through flood waters. Any time you come to a flooded road, walkway, or path, follow this simple rule: Turn Around Don’t Drown.

More information will be provided as response measures change.
Public information 907-714-2495