The Northwest Arctic Borough would like to inform residents that the communities of Kotzebue and Kivalina are in a coast flood and high wind warning starting October 5, 2022, in the early afternoon. In addition, the community of Deering will be in a coast flood warning. The potential impacts for Kivalina, Kotzebue and Deering are as followed:
Kivalina: Water levels are expected to be 4 to 5 feet above the normal highest tide line. The highest water levels will occur Thursday through Friday evening but will remain elevated into Saturday. There will be south winds 40 to 50 mph with gusts up to 65 mph through Wednesday night. The winds are expected to shift to southwest Thursday morning and diminishing to 30 to 40 mph.
Potential impacts include flooding in the low-lying areas along the lagoon, especially those it he northwest part of the village. Erosion may occur. Fish/ hunting camps along west and southwest facing beaches may be vulnerable to wave runup and flooding.
Kotzebue: Water levels are expected to be 4 to 5 feet above the normal highest tide line. The highest water levels will occur Friday morning through Friday evening. Water levels will initially rise late Thursday and remain elevated into Saturday morning. There will be south winds of 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 55 mph through Wednesday night. It is expected to shift to southwest winds Thursday morning, and diminishing to 25 to 35 mph.
Flooding is possible in the lowest lying areas along the lagoon such as the harbor, teacher housing and along the runway. Erosion may occur.
Deering: Water levels are expected to be 4 to 5 feet above the normal highest tide line. The highest water levels will occur Friday morning into the early afternoon. Water levels will initially rise Wednesday night an remain elevated into Saturday morning. There will be south winds of 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph through Wednesday night. The winds will shift to southwest Thursday morning and diminishing to 20 to 30 mph.
Flooding is possible in the lowest lying areas along the coast. The road to the runway will likely be inundated with water.
The NWAB incident command team is on standby and will provide more information moving forward.
For emergencies outside of Kotzebue please contact the Alaska State Troopers at 907-451-5100. For emergencies in Kotzebue please contact the Kotzebue Police Department at 911.
Original source can be found here.
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