Jun 9, 2024
Rivers on the North Slope began to open up during late May. An ice jam on the Kuparuk River formed downstream of Spine Road. A surge of high water caused by warm temperatures and snow melt in the Brooks Range was backed up behind the ice jam, causing flooding in low-lying and flood prone locations, as well as the low-water crossings approaching the bridges over the Kuparuk River.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 1200540). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in Central Beaufort Sea Coast County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.