JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard and Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation are responding to flooding in Mendenhall Valley, Wednesday.
“We are working hand-in-hand with our ADEC partners in response to flooding in the Mendenhall Lake and River areas,” said Cmdr. Stacey Tate, the Chief of Response at Sector Southeast Alaska. “We have air, land and water-based teams assessing damage and taking action to mitigate any potential pollution threats in the region.”
Capt. Stanley Fields, the Coast Guard Captain of the Port and Federal On-Scene Coordinator; Rachael Krajewski, ADEC State On-Scene Coordinator; and Denise Koch, Incident Commander and Director of Engineering and Public Works conducted an overflight of Mendenhall Valley, Tuesday, aboard an Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to assess impacted areas and potential areas of pollution concern.
Pollution responders are also conducting shoreline assessments along Mendenhall River and water-side assessments in and around Fritz Cove via a response boat from Station Juneau.
“Over the coming days, ADEC staff will continue to visit affected neighborhoods to identify and address potential spills,” said Rachael Krajewski, State On-Scene Coordinator. “We encourage all residents to check their heating oil tanks for leaks and to report any spills by visiting reportspills.alaska.gov."
Residents can receive updated information on flood conditions in the region at Suicide Basin (weather.gov).