Floods and Elevated Groundwater Table Guidance
Flooding
Flooding commonly occurs during spring breakup when ice dams form on Alaska's rivers, causing water, ice, and debris to spill over river banks. In addition, winter storms frequently cause flooding in Alaska's coastal communities. Excessive rain can also create flooding by raising groundwater levels, even in areas far from surface water sources.
Flood damage can cause a variety of environmental and human health concerns. During a flood, fuel tanks may become buoyant enough to float, and aboveground heating oil tanks may shift or fall, causing fuel lines to kink, weaken, or break.
Excessive rain and elevated groundwater may cause leach fields and lift stations to flood, which can deposit sewage or other contaminants in yards, crawlspaces, or wells. Septic systems may backup into homes. Shifting, underground fuel tanks can be damaged and leak petroleum to yards, wells, or crawlspaces. In addition, floods can shift existing soil contamination, leading to similar problems.
After a flood, sewage and petroleum may need to be cleaned from home interiors, and contaminated food and household items must be destroyed. Mold becomes a concern after flooding and must be dealt with promptly.
The Department of Environmental Conservation encourages property owners to be prepared prior to floods and be aware of common threats after flooding. Taking the proper steps before and after floods will ensure maximum protection of human health, property, and the environment.
SEPTIC SYSTEMS |
DIESEL FUEL/HOME HEATING OIL |
HEALTH CONCERNS |
MOLD |
DRINKING WATER |
Other Resources |
Public Service Announcements
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| PSA No. 14-49 | Spill reporting placard |
Contact DEC
Spill Reporting:
| Central (Anchorage) | ||
| Northern (Fairbanks) | ||
| Southeast (Juneau) |
Outside normal business hours call: 1-800-478-9300 (International: 1-907-428-7200)
Drinking Water:
| Anchorage | |
| Fairbanks | |
| Juneau | |
| Mat-Su | |
| Soldotna |
Wastewater:
| Anchorage | |
| Fairbanks | |
| Juneau | |
| Mat-Su | |
| Soldotna |