Mat-Su Borough Prepares for Flood Recovery

INCIDENT RECOVERY CENTER (IRC) -- The Matanuska-Susitna Borough has switched modes from an Emergency Operation to Incident Recovery. The IRC is located at the Cottonwood Public Safety Building in Wasilla. Dave Hanson, Incident Recovery Coordinator, is responsible for organizing the recovery efforts throughout the Borough.

The Borough Public Works staff is currently assessing the condition of the roads and bridges damaged during the recent flooding. They are working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to prioritize the areas of immediate concern and obtain the necessary permits. Aerial photography is being conducted to help with the damage assessment.

For an updated list of roads and bridges affected by the flood and their status, visit the borough website at www.matsugov.us.

Help Centers have been established for residents who are affected by the flood. Residents can visit the Help Centers located at the Willow Community Center and Sunshine Fire Station. The Centers are open from 10a.m to 8p.m.Monday through Friday and 10a.m. to 6p.m. Saturday and Sunday. You can contact the Help Centers by phone at 495-2055, Willow Community Center or 733-2055, Sunshine Fire Station.

Help Centers are issuing coupons for up to $50 for disposal of flood debris at Matanuska-Susitna Borough transfer stations and the MAT-SU Landfill off of 49th State Street. In addition, dumpsters for flood debris are located in Talkeetna at the Beaver Rd. Gravel Pit, Houston Fire Station on the Parks Highway, and at the end of King Arthur Drive.

Flooded wells may be contaminated. If property with an onsite well has flooded, water used for drinking, cooking, hand washing, or dish washing should be boiled for at least two minutes. Once the flooding has subsided, homeowners should chlorinate their wells and have the water tested for Total Coliform Bacteria to ensure it is safe to drink. For more information regarding flooded residential water and sewer systems call the Department of Environmental Conservation at 376-1861 or 376-1852.

Flooded onsite sewer systems may be damaged and not function properly. If sewage has leaked onto the ground, disinfect the area with a light powdering of finely ground garden lime or a solution of water with 5% chlorine bleach. Sewage can contain active and harmful bacteria, cysts and viruses. The Willow Community Help Center is distributing water test kits for homeowners that need to test residential wells. The test kits are free however homeowners will have to pay for testing. Water samples can be taken to MAT-SU Test Labs of Alaska located at 9161 E. Frontage Rd., Suite 15 off of the Palmer-Wasilla Highway (same building as Alaska Rim Engineering). They can be reached at 745-3005. In addition, the Willow Community Help Center is stocked with one-gallon water jugs and cases of bottled water for those people affected by the flood.

If possible, DO NOT use your onsite sewer system until after the flood waters and groundwater levels have receded to prevent wastewater from surfacing or backing up into your house.