Flood Watch issued for Seward from Monday evening through Thursday

Seward faces 2 to 4 inches of rain from Monday evening until 10 a.m. Thursday, and forecasters say isolated landslides are possible in steep terrain.

The National Weather Service Anchorage issued the Flood Watch for the Southern Kenai Mountains on Sunday at 5:14 a.m. AKDT. An atmospheric river of moisture moving over the southern Kenai Peninsula is driving the event. Light rain is expected to reach the eastern Kenai Peninsula by Monday afternoon, with heavier rain starting Monday night.

Forecasters give a 70% to 80% chance of 2 to 4 inches of rain, and a 20% chance of more than 5 inches. Excessive runoff may flood rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying areas. NWS Anchorage says people in flood-prone areas should prepare to take action if flooding develops.

Seward's steep, glaciated mountains and abundance of water make the port city highly susceptible to floods and debris flows, particularly alluvial floods. That is why heavy rain events there carry both flooding and landslide risk.

The watch follows a July storm on the same terrain. Alaska News previously covered a Flood Watch for Seward issued July 18, when NWS Anchorage forecast 3 to 5 inches. That watch escalated to a Flood Warning on July 19 after forecasters warned the Seward Airport runway could flood with debris from the Resurrection River. The warning remained in effect until 10 a.m. July 21.

"You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings," NWS Anchorage said.