Alaska - United States   2026-01-11   Sunday   56.62N, -133.35W

Petersburg Census Area

Alaska - United States
2026-01-11

Flood Watch issued January 10 at 8:51PM AKST until January 12 at 9:00AM AKST by NWS Juneau AK

Issue date: 2026-01-11T05:51+00:00

An atmospheric river with multiple surges of moisture has moved into the panhandle and will last into Sunday evening. Currently, showers continue across the area, ahead of a surge of moisture is expected for the southern half of the panhandle overnight Saturday and continuing through Sunday. Very strong rain rates during the morning hours for the Ketchikan, Metlakatla, and Prince of Wales Island are expected, with around a 40-60% chance for 3 hour rates exceeding 0.4 inches. This surge in precipitation may coincide with another surge of wind gusts, with sea level gusts possibly reaching as high as 50 mph. The southern panhandle could see 1.5 to 3.0 additional inches, the central inner channels could receive 1.0 to 2.0 additional inches, the Icy Strait corridor could receive 0.75 to 1.5 additional inches, and the Juneau area could receive 1.5 to 2.5 additional inches. * WHAT...Flooding caused by rain and snowmelt continues to be possible. * WHERE...The following areas, Prince of Wales, Eastern Gulf Coast, Southern Inner Channels and Central Inner Channels. This includes the cities of Petersburg, Kake, Port Alexander, Craig, Klawock, Hydaburg, Coffman Cove, Thorne Bay, Wrangell, Ketchikan, Hyder, And Metlakatla. * WHEN...Through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, other low-lying areas and flood-prone locations. Storm drains and ditches may become clogged with debris. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Around 3 to 7 inches of rain has fallen for Prince of Wales, Ketchikan, and Metlakatla. Around 1.5 to 4.0 inches has fallen for Petersburg and Wrangell. Around 0.75 to 1.5 inches with possibly locally higher amounts, particularly near Ketchikan and Metlakatla, of rain is expected through Saturday evening before the incoming surge of moisture. On Sunday, 1.0 to 2.0 inches of rain for the central panhandle and 1.5 to 3.0 for the extreme southern panhandle is possible. Areas with a pre-existing snowpack, both from recent accumulations as well as the deep, previous snowpack, may have additional runoff. Small streams and rivers are falling, but are expected to rise again Sunday. There is continued uncertainty for exceedence of flood stage based on how the snowpack at upper elevations will respond to the incoming rain. Ward Creek above Lake Connell Dam is currently experiencing minor flooding. Otherwise, current forecast reflects these rivers saying within their banks, however, uncertainty in snowpack depth, temperature, and runoff potential could lead to minor flooding. Gusty winds at sea level ranging from 40 to 60 mph are likely along the southern panhandle through Friday night. This combination of weather hazards could lead to possible isolated landslides along steep slopes. Conditions for the possibility of flooding and possible isolated landslides going forward will be maximized Sunday morning as the heaviest rates and wind gusts up to 50 mph at sea level. This combination of factors, along with accumulation from the expected rain for today and Saturday. Additionally, stream flows in rivers may quickly rise and may exceed flood levels.