UPDATE: MSB Signs Disaster Declaration

Matanuska-Susitna Borough Mayor Edna DeVries and Manager Mike Brown signed a local disaster declaration today for the flood-impacted community of Talkeetna. Heavy rain combined with the convergence of the three rivers, Susitna, Chulitna, and Talkeetna, have damaged the town’s revetment, now an impending threat to public safety, infrastructure, and property.

By declaring a local disaster, the Mat-Su Borough could access additional emergency funding, resources, and support from state or federal agencies. It enables the activation of emergency response plans and the implementation of protective measures.

Ultimately, this local disaster declaration aims to ensure the long-term safety and well-being of the Talkeetna community and to facilitate a timely and effective response to the impending disaster.

The original revetment was built 44 years ago and nearly 325 feet of the revetment has been obliterated by recent high water. The Borough Manager authorized 900 tons of rock to be delivered over the weekend as an emergency step in case of a worsening situation. 

Borough Public Works staff and US Army Corps of Engineers representatives have been on site and are coordinating protective measures and longer-term solutions to repair the revetment. Public Works Director Tom Adams, PE, will give a summary report during tonight’s special Assembly meeting scheduled at 4 p.m.

UPDATE - SEP. 12, 2023

During an Assembly Special Meeting on 9/12/23, the Assembly passed Resolution 23-096 to extend the Disaster Declaration through October 31, 2023. The Resolution gives additional time to provide protection to the riverbank, preventing further erosion, which inludes additional time to procure necessary material for revetment repairs. Public Works Director, Tom Adams, P.E. says the amount could range betweeb 2700 to 7,000 tons, with work beginning by the end by September.

For more questions, Call Stefan Hinman at 907-982-2805/Stefan.hinman@matsugov.us

Special meeting Live Streaming at 4pm 9/12/23: https://www.facebook.com/MatSuBorough/.     https://www.youtube.com/@matsuboroughvideo/streams