Minor flooding possible at Golovin, with water 4 to 6 feet above high tide

Water could reach Golovin's lowest-lying buildings this week under a Coastal Flood Watch issued by the National Weather Service in Fairbanks late Sunday evening. The agency calls it minor flooding, and a watch means possible, not expected. Precautions should be taken to protect property, the watch advises.

It runs from late Tuesday night, through Friday afternoon. Forecasters expect water 4 to 6 feet above normal high tide during Wednesday and Thursday high tides. "Some beach erosion may occur," the watch says.

Gusty southwesterly winds are expected late Wednesday through Friday, plus 1 to 2 inches of rain. The watch expires at 4 p.m. Monday and will be updated.

A High Surf Advisory expired Saturday after water near Golovin peaked early Friday just over 4 feet above normal high tide.

Golovin sits near sea level on a sand spit and floods every five to 10 years. The state declared it a flood disaster area in both 2004 and 2005.