DENEKI ROAD UPDATE
January 11, 2020 9:00pm
Contact: Stefan Hinman,
Public Affairs Director
The Borough contractor worked today on dislodging ice under the Deneki Meadows Bridge and performed channel maintenance. Continued extreme low temperatures contributed to equipment malfunctions, slowing work. Local heating fuel providers successfully used the roadway and bridge to deliver fuel to residents today. We expect continued work on the ice beneath the bridge tomorrow as well as ice and snow removal from the roadway.
The Road Hotline is still available for road related questions and observations. Messages can be left and someone will return your call.
907-861-7755
The Matanuska-Susitna School District is encouraging anyone in the Deneki area with school related questions to call the following numbers for support or information.
Willow Elementary: 495-9300 / Su Valley Jr/Sr High 733-9380
If you have other concerns or comments, feel free to message us at:
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Facebook
DENEKI ROAD UPDATE
January 10, 2020 9:00pm
Contact: Stefan Hinman,
Public Affairs Director
Borough contractors worked today to improve and maintain the Willow Creek channel and moved the ice accumulated through reclaiming the channel to the riverbank. Ice was stacked in piles to allow water to flow around it if needed during the spring thaw. This will reduce the risk of flooding later this spring. Equipment operators also worked to free and remove ice lodged under the Deneki Meadows Bridge.
Roadway access to the bridge has been improved so that vehicles without four wheel drive and sedans with lower clearance can now use the road safely.
Tomorrow we expect to perform additional channel maintenance and begin reclaiming the roadway from under the ice deposited during the flooding. This process will require heavy equipment to work on and around the roadway. Residents should exercise extreme caution when passing through the work area. Road reclamation work could continue for the next four days.
The Road Hotline is still available for road related questions and observations. Messages can be left and someone will return your call.
907-861-7755
The Matanuska-Susitna School District is encouraging anyone in the Deneki area with school related questions to call the following numbers for support or information.
Willow Elementary: 495-9300 / Su Valley Jr/Sr High 733-9380
If you have other concerns or comments, feel free to message us at:
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Facebook
DENEKI ROAD UPDATE
January 9, 2020 8:00 PM
Contact: Stefan Hinman,
Public Affairs Director
Borough contractors continued to improve the flow in Willow Creek today. Water flowing out of the flooded area stopped moving overnight and froze in place, which tells us yesterday’s channel opening work was successful in returning the flow into the creek.
Late today, contractors improved road conditions to allow service vehicle access to Deneki Meadows Bridge and the homes beyond it. Even though the bypass road is improved, a four-wheel drive vehicle is still recommended, as a sudden warming could soften the road surface.
Tomorrow we will continue to monitor flow in the Creek, maintain the channel to prevent additional ice jams and make further improvements to the access road.
The Road Hotline is still available for road related questions and observations. Messages can be left and someone will return your call.
907-861-7755
The Matanuska-Susitna School District is encouraging anyone in the Deneki area with questions to call the following numbers for support or information.
Willow Elementary: 495-9300 / Su Valley Jr/Sr High 733-9380
If you have other concerns or comments, feel free to message us at:
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Facebook
DENEKI ROAD UPDATE
January 8, 2020 9:00pm
Contact: Stefan Hinman,
Public Affairs Director
Today Borough contractors began opening the channel on Willow Creek. Numerous large ice jams were restricting water flow both below and above the Deneki Bridge. The work today opened the channel to about two thirds of the planned distance for the project. Tomorrow’s work should see the channel opened to the area where creek water is flowing out of the channel into the flooded area. Work is expected to begin when sufficient daylight is available around 9AM.
Crossing of the outfall from the flooded area is still required for use of the ice road, so four wheel driver vehicle with half-ton pick-up truck type clearance or higher is still necessary for access to the Deneki Bridge.
If you have questions and concerns related to the road, you can call the Road Hotline below. Messages can be left and someone will return your call.
907-861-7755
The Matanuska-Susitna School District is encouraging anyone affected by the Willow Flooding to call the following numbers for support or information.
Willow Elementary: 495-9300 / Su Valley Jr/Sr High 733-9380
If you have other concerns, you can also message us on:
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Facebook
DENEKI ROAD UPDATE
January 7, 2020 9:00pm
Contact: Stefan Hinman,
Public Affairs Director
During the Regular Assembly Meeting tonight, the Borough Assembly approved a project to reopen the Willow Creek channel that is currently clogged with ice. The project is expected to reduce flooding in the Deneki Bridge area and allow permanent road repairs to begin. We expect the ice dam mitigation project to begin by 9am tomorrow, with work possibly continuing over the next three days.
Today, Borough contractors widened and improved the bypass ice road making Deneki Bridge and the properties beyond more accessible. The newly constructed ice road is working as intended; however, we’d like to remind those who choose to drive on the road, that only 4-wheel drive vehicles with enough clearance are recommended. You are driving at your own risk.
If you have questions and concerns related to the road, you can call the Road Hotline below. Messages can be left and someone will return your call.
907-861-7755
The Matanuska-Susitna School District is encouraging anyone affected by the Willow Flooding to call the following numbers for support or information.
Willow Elementary: 495-9300 / Su Valley Jr/Sr High 733-9380
If you have other concerns, you can also message us on:
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Facebook
Contact: Stefan Hinman, Public Affairs Director
Crews continued working today on improving the Deneki Bridge access, including removing ice. A bypass road was added today which should give residents a more accessible option to the bridge area. Work on the road will continue tomorrow. The road remains closed; however, residents who choose to drive on the road should only use a four-wheel drive vehicle. The use of mini-vans and sedans are not recommended due to their lack of clearance and may not make it past the outflow of the water going back into Willow Creek, which is about eight inches deep.
A repair plan to move the water back into the river channel will be developed and refined tomorrow. At their 6pm meeting, the Assembly will review the work plan, and if approved, could enable work to begin as early as Wednesday morning.
We understand the frustration residents are experiencing now and are working every day to alleviate some of their stress. We believe this new bypass should help.
If you have questions and concerns related to the road, you can call the Road Hotline below. Messages can be left and someone will return your call.
907-861-7755
The Matanuska-Susitna School District is encouraging anyone affected by the Willow Flooding to call the following numbers for support or information.
Willow Elementary: 495-9300 / Su Valley Jr/Sr High 733-9380
If you have other concerns, you can also message us on:
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Facebook
Contact: Stefan Hinman, Public Affairs Director
Today, staff from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Administration, Public Works Department and Operations and Maintenance Division performed a site visit and assessment this morning. Borough contractors removed road ice accumulated overnight and assisted residents in reaching the bridge in temperatures as low as -24F. Conditions on the sited remain generally unchanged with approximately 400 feet only passable using large four-wheel drive trucks or heavy equipment. Deneki Road remains officially closed. The water remains one to two foot deep with shards of ice in it and on the edges of the pools of water. Any travel remains at the operator’s own risk.
On Jan. 4, Mat-Su Borough Operations and Maintenance assumed command and control of the Deneki Road area flooding operations. There will be no further Department of Emergency Services presence on location unless it is an emergency.
If you have questions and concerns related to the road, you can call the Road Hotline at 907.861.7755. Messages can be left and someone will return your call.
If you have other concerns, you can also message us on the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Facebook page.
Matanuska-Susitna - Willow Creek
Willow, Alaska – Department of Emergency Services Transfer Command
Mat-Su Operations and Maintenance have assumed command and control of the Deneki Road area Flooding operations. There will be no further Department of Emergency Services presence on location unless it is an emergency. All further work will be coordinated and manage by the Matanuska Susitna Borough Operations and Maintenance Division.
All questions and concerns may be directed to the Road Hotline at 907.861.7755.
Public Information will be monitored and coordinated through the Director of Public Affairs, Stefan Hinman.
No reports of water on Friday Road, Creekside Road or Burrow Road.
The Water Rescue Team is available for emergency assistance and response. If you experience an emergency, call 911.
The American Red Cross shelter at the Willow Community Center is closed but available to be opened if needed. If you need sheltering assistance or seeking information regarding this event, call 907-355-9819.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
Willow Town Hall Meeting - Flood Status
Willow Community Center Town Hall recorded live stream meeting
Willow Creek
Willow, Alaska – Current situation on Deneki Road is as follows:
Mat Su Operations and Maintenance crews were on scene vigorously maintaining prior progress and maintaining water flow. Culverts in the area are working as designed and flowing steadily. There is still high water along the road and usage of Deneki road is not recommended. Crews will be working tomorrow to manage current progress.
No reports of water on Friday Road, Creekside Rd or Burrow Road.
Update of tomorrow’s current situation will be provided at the Town Hall meeting tomorrow evening.
Standing message:
The Water Rescue Team is available for emergency assistance and response. If you experience an emergency, call 911. There will be a Flood Status Town Hall meeting Thursday, January 2, 2020 at 7:00 pm. This Town Hall meeting will occur at the Willow Community Center, and will provide an opportunity for the community to ask questions of Matanuska Susitna Borough officials and staff, and hear the plan moving forward. This meeting will be live streamed as well for those who cannot attend in person.
The American Red Cross shelter at the Willow Community Center is closed but available to be opened if needed. If you need sheltering assistance or seeking information regarding this event, call 907-355-9819.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
Willow Creek
Willow, Alaska – Current situation on Deneki Road is as follows:
Mat Su Operations and Maintenance is on location working to maintain the work done yesterday to open the road, but conditions could change at any time. Heavy equipment will be on site for the majority of the day today January 1, 2020. Access has been improved but we would ask that you not use the road at this time due to the equipment on the roadway.
No reports of water on Friday Road, Creekside Rd or Burrow Road.
Standing message:
There will be a Flood Status Town Hall meeting Thursday, January 2, 2020 at 7:00 pm. This Town Hall meeting will occur at the Willow Community Center, and will provide an opportunity for the community to ask questions of Matanuska Susitna Borough officials and staff, and hear the plan moving forward. This meeting will be live streamed as well for those who cannot attend in person.
The American Red Cross shelter at the Willow Community Center is closed but available to be opened if needed. If you need sheltering assistance or seeking information regarding this event, call 907-355-9819.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
Willow Creek
Willow, Alaska – Current situation on Deneki Road is as follows:
Mat Su Operations and Maintenance is on location working on clearing water and ice from the road. Heavy equipment will be on site for the majority of the day tomorrow January 1, 2020. Access has been improved for emergency response vehicles but remains closed at this time.
All Disabled Vehicles were removed from the road way.
Emergency Services staff assessed Friday Road, Creekside Road and Burrow Road. No water is crossing these roads, and Burrow Road residents have been informed of the possibility of their road being impacted by rising water.
The Water Rescue team is available for emergency assistance and response. If you experience an emergency, call 911.
Standing message:
There will be a Flood Status Town Hall meeting Thursday, January 2, 2020 at 7:00 pm. This Town Hall meeting will occur at the Willow Community Center, and will provide an opportunity for the community to ask questions of Matanuska Susitna Borough officials and staff, and hear the plan moving forward. This meeting will be live streamed as well for those who cannot attend in person.
The American Red Cross shelter at the Willow Community Center is closed but available to be opened if needed. If you need sheltering assistance or seeking information regarding this event, call 907-355-9819.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
No further updates today.
Willow Creek
Willow, Alaska – Current situation on Deneki Road is as follows:
Mat-Su Operations and Maintenance is on location working to clear water and ice from the road. Heavy equipment will be on site for the majority of the day.
A tow truck company is in the area removing disabled vehicles from the road way.
Engineers from the Borough are assessing for future planning and are on site.
The Water Rescue Team will not be assisting with shuttles of people, supplies or fuel, but are available for emergency assistance and response. If you experience an emergency of any sort, call 911.
There will be a Flood Status Town Hall meeting Thursday, January 2, 2020 at 7:00PM. This Town Hall meeting will occur at the Willow Community Cent, and will provide an opportunity for the community to ask questions of Matanuska Susitna Borough officials and staff, and hear the plan moving forward. This meeting will be live streamed as well for those who cannot attend in person.
The American Red Cross shelter at the Willow Community Center is closed but available to be open if needed. If you need sheltering assistance or seeking information regarding this even, call 970.355.9819.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
Will update at 5PM today.
Willow Creek
Willow, Alaska – Much progress has been made today relieving water off of Deneki Road. We ask that people do not drive on the road as this may degrade todays efforts Operations and Maintenance has made today. Progress made today and tomorrow will help us determine a better timeline for restoring traffic flow. Approximately 20 rounds trips were made today by the Water Rescue Team to include assessments by Borough and State officials, utilities support, residential salvage and recovery, groceries, medicines, animal food and fuel. 4 trips were to return residents to their homes.
There will be a Flood Status Town Hall meeting Thursday, January 2, 2020 at 7:00 pm. This Town Hall meeting will occur at the Willow Community Center, and will provide an opportunity for the community to ask questions of Matanuska Susitna Borough officials and staff, and hear the plan moving forward. This meeting will be live streamed as well for those who cannot attend in person.
The American Red Cross shelter at the Willow Community Center continues to be open if needed. If you need sheltering assistance or seeking information regarding this event, call 907-355-9819.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
No further updates today.
Willow Creek
Willow, Alaska – There will be a Flood Status Town Hall meeting Thursday, January 2, 2020 at 7:00PM. This Town Hall meeting will occur at the Willow Community Center and will provide the community with an opportunity to ask questions of Matanuska-Susitna officials and staff, and hear the plan moving forward. This meeting will be lived streamed as well for those who cannot attend in person.
The Borough’s goal is to restore traffic flow to the affected area for residents to be able to use their own transportation as soon as weather and elements allow.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
Willow Creek
Willow, Alaska – Currently the Water rescue Team is on location assisting residents by ferrying them in and out with groceries, fuel and water. They will be available until 3:00PM today for this service. If you wish to be ferried in or out or if you have special needs to be addressed, please call 907.355.9819.
Mat-Su Borough Operations and Maintenance is working on Deneki to relieve the ice and water on the roads, and will be utilizing heavy equipment to do this. Please avoid the area if you are not being ferried in or out.
The Borough’s goal is to restore traffic flow to the affected area for residents to be able to use their own transportation as soon as weather and elements allow. Progress made today will help us determine a better timeline for restored traffic flow.
The American Red Cross shelter at the Willow Community Center is open if needed. If you need sheltering assistance or seeking information regarding this event, call 907.355.9819.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
Further update today at approximately 5:00PM.
Willow Creek
Willow Alaska – Deneki Road remains impassable and closed at this time to other than Emergency Services. Residents should not access the area as this may negatively impact the work that was accomplished today, and jeopardize current Emergency Services operations taking place. Absolutely no vehicles should utilize Deneki road at this time as this may hamper emergency services response times.
The Water rescue Team is available for emergencies or if residents need assistance to evacuate the area, please call 911. They will also be available tomorrow December 30, 2019 to ferry groceries, gas and people in and out of the neighborhood from 11AM-3PM.
The American Red Cross shelter at the Willow Community Center is open if needed. If you need sheltering assistance or seeking information regarding this event, call 907.355.9819.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
No futher updates today.
Willow Creek
Willow Alaska – Deneki Road remains impassible and closed at this time to other than Emergency Servcies. Residents should not attempt to access the area as this may negatively impact the work that was accomplished today. Absolutely no vehicles should utilize Deneki Road at this time as this may hamper emergency services response times.
The Mat-Su Borough Operation and Maintenance Department may resume tomorrow, December 29, 2019, to relieve water off the road. This will involve heavy equipment on the roadways and crews will be assessing the road and bride conditions. Please avoid this area while heavy equipment is working.
The Water Rescue Team is available for emergencies or if residents need assistance to evacuate the, please call 911.
The Department of Emergency Services has determined secondary trails in the community to access the area for emergency responses.
Emergency Services Damage Assessment teams will be in the area tomorrow documenting exterior damages to homes. They will also be making contact with individuals still on site to confirm addresses and current needs.
The American Red Cross shelter at the Willow Community Center will be open tomorrow if needed. If you need sheltering assistance or seeking information regarding this even, call 907.355.9819.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
No further updates today.
Willow Creek
Willow, Alaska – Significant progress has been made by the Borough’s Operations & Maintenance crews working all day today. Deneki Road remains impassible and closed at this time to other than Emergency Services. Residents should not attempt to access the area as this may negatively impact the work that was accomplished today. Absolutely no vehicles should utilize Deneki road at this time as this may hamper emergency services response times.
The Mat Su Borough Operation and Maintenance Department may resume tomorrow, December 28, 2019, to relieve water off the road. This will involve heavy equipment on the roadways and crews will be assessing the road and bridge conditions. Please avoid this area while heavy equipment is working.
The Water Rescue Team is available for emergencies or if residents need assistance to evacuate the area, please call 911.
The Department of Emergency Services is assessing secondary trails in the community to access the area for emergency responses.
The American Red Cross shelter at the Willow Community Center will be open tomorrow if needed. If you need sheltering assistance or seeking information regarding this event, call 907-355-9819.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
No further updates today.
Willow Creek
Willow, Alaska – Deneki Road remains impassable and closed at this time. Residents should not attempt to access the area as there are multiple areas that are unsafe and have caused drivers needing to be rescued, and vehicles to be abandoned, hampering further responses.
The Mat Su Borough Operation and Maintenance Department will be attempting to relieve water off the road starting tomorrow December 27, 2019, at 10am. This will involve heavy equipment on the roadways and crews will be assessing the road and bridge conditions. Please avoid this area while heavy equipment is working.
The Water Rescue Team will be on scene for emergencies but if residents need assistance to evacuate the area, please call 911.The team will not be assisting residents to re-enter the area.
The American Red Cross shelter at the Willow Community Center will be open tomorrow if needed. If you need sheltering assistance or seeking information regarding this event, call 907-355-9819.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
No further updates today.
December 26, 2019 11:00am Contact: Casey Cook Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Willow Creek
Willow, Alaska – Deneki Road remains impassible and closed at this time. Residents should not attempt to access the area as there are multiple areas that are unsafe and have caused drivers needing to be rescued, and vehicles to be abandoned, hampering further responses. Recent attempts by unknown individuals to clear the road are causing the water to pool on the road, making the situation worse. We ask that individuals do not perform work on Deneki road.
The Mat-Su Borough is currently meeting with representatives from the State of Alaska Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, the Department of Health and Social Services, the National Guard, and private engineering contractors working with the Mat- Su Borough Operations & Maintenance to formulate a short term and long term planning strategies. Updates of this planning will be made available as they are finalized.
The American Red Cross shelter at the Willow Community Center, remains closed. If you need sheltering assistance or seeking information regarding this event, call 907-355-9819.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
An afternoon update will be available today at 1700.
Willow Creek
Willow, Alaska – Deneki Road remains impassible and closed at this time. Residents should not attempt to access the area as there are multiple areas that are unsafe and have caused drivers needing to be rescued, and vehicles to be abandoned, hampering further responses.
Any calls for assistance at this time should be directed to 911 and will result in a full Willow Fire Department and Mat-Su Water Rescue response, and should be for active emergency needs only. Any 911 calls for this area may result in a delayed response due to the amount of water in the area.
Mat-Su Borough Operations and Maintenance will continue to work with the road service area provider and engineers to determine the best way forward to re-open the road and mitigate the flooding. They will inform the residents of progress as it becomes available.
The American Red Cross shelter at the Willow Community Center, will be closing for the evening as there currently is no need to remain open. If you need sheltering assistance tonight or over the holidays for this event, call 907-355-9819.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
No other updates today unless conditions deteriorate.
Willow, Alaska – As of 5:00pm all evacuation assistance has been completed for the day per Ken Barkley, Director of Emergency Services. All residents of the Willow Creek neighborhood who contacted the Department of Emergency Services for assistance were contacted and assisted. Matanuska Susitna Borough Mayor Vern Halter and Manager John Moosey signed a Local Disaster Declaration today requesting Governor Michael Dunleavy to do the same.
Willow Fire Department, Mat-Su Animal Care and the Mat-Su Water Rescue Team were able to assist residents to safely evacuate the area if they chose to do so, and some pets and other animals are being sheltered and cared for at the Mat-Su Animal care facility.
Any calls for assistance at this time should be directed to 911 and will result in a full Willow Fire Department and Mat-Su Water Rescue response, and should be for active emergency needs only. Any 911 calls for this area after 5pm may result in a delayed response due to the amount of water in the area.
Residents should not attempt to access the area as there are multiple areas that are unsafe and have caused drivers needing to be rescued, and vehicles to be abandoned, hampering further responses.
Mat-Su Borough Operations and Maintenance will continue to work with the road service area provider and engineers to determine the best way forward to re-open the road and mitigate the flooding. They will inform the residents of progress as it becomes available.
The American Red Cross shelter at the Willow Community Center, 23625 W Willow Community Circle, Willow, AK remains open for persons unable to remain in their homes.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
No other updates unless conditions deteriorate.
The Mat-su Borough Mayor and Manager declared today, a Local Disaster Emergency for flooding in Willow. A large ice dam has formed at the Deneki Bridge, pressing emergency responders to work long hours in the frigid temperatures. Included in this declaration, is a request of the Governor to throw his support behind the MSB with a declaration that an Disaster Emergency does exist. State assistance and resources would then follow. SEE PRESS RELEASE HERE.
Willow, Alaska – Starting today at 11am-4pm (during daylight hours) the Department of Emergency Services is offering to assist residents needing to leave and/or re-enter affected areas along Willow Creek. This will allow residents who are remaining in their homes to obtain groceries, fuel, necessities, etc., and return safely to their homes. To utilize this service during this time please contact 907-355-9819. Residents needing to purchase fuel will need to bring their own fuel jugs and will be shuttled to a local fuel store and back.
Willow Fire Department, Mat-Su Animal Care and the Mat-Su Water Rescue Team remain able to assist residents to safely leave the area as well as re-entering their homes if they chose to do so. This assistance will only be available during daylight hours.
Matanuska Susitna Borough Operations and Maintenance will be on location again today assessing mechanical solutions to the flooding.
Deneki Road is closed at this time. Residents are advised to not attempt to cross the flooded area as this is a life threatening activity.
The American Red Cross shelter at the Willow Community Center, 23625 W Willow Community Circle, Willow, AK remains open for persons unable to remain in their homes.
If further assistance related to this flooding incident is required after these hours on Monday December 23, 2019, call 911 with your location or address, number of people and animals needing to evacuate. The Water Rescue Team, Willow Fire Department and the Mat Su Animal Care officers will respond and assist as needed.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
Willow, Alaska – On December 22, 2019 at approximately 2300 hours, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Department of Emergency Services responded to the Friday Subdivision in Willow, AK on reports to flooding from Willow Creek in that area.
Willow Fire Department, Alaska State Troopers, and the Mat-Su Water Rescue team responded to assess for injuries and damage. Those living in the area West of the Deneki Bridge are being evacuated.
The American Red Cross opened a shelter at the Willow Community Center, 23625 W Willow Community Circle, Willow, AK for persons unable to remain in their homes.
No injuries have been reported. Emergency personnel are still on scene assessing the situation and assisting residents to evacuate. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Department of Emergency Services will provide updates as the situation changes.
If you know of someone who is unable to understand, see, or hear this message, please tell them about it.
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