May 12, 2023
A prolonged period of well-below-average spring temperatures combined with an above-average winter snowpack created a dynamic breakup of the Yukon River. This resulted in numerous ice jams and snowmelt flooding on the Yukon River. Breakup flooding began on May 12th in eastern Alaska in Eagle and ended on June 3rd in the Yukon River delta at the Bering Sea coast at the community of Emmonak. The primary cause of this active flood year was a 1-2 week delay in breakup when compared to typical timing
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 1101977). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Upr Tanana Vly Fortymile County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.