Little Susitna River puts water on roads near North Sushana Drive until Friday morning

Water is over roadways along and near North Sushana Drive in the Lower Matanuska Valley, the National Weather Service Anchorage reported Thursday after river gauges confirmed rising levels on the Little Susitna River. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is occurring, with minor flooding expected in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

NWS Anchorage issued the flood advisory at 8:28 a.m. Thursday. Gauge readings at 8:26 a.m. showed water rising from heavy rain across the advisory area. The advisory runs until 8:30 a.m. Friday. Residents are warned not to drive on flooded roads.

The Lower Matanuska Valley is the latest area under advisory in a multi-day storm system that has already pushed flood advisories across the Susitna Valley. An earlier Alaska News article on the Yentna River and Susitna Valley flooding, published Wednesday, covered simultaneous advisories for the Western and Central Susitna Valley, where the Yentna River at Lake Creek was at 21.5 feet — a full foot above its 20.5-foot flood stage — with the advisory warning that water could enter cabins at Anglers Inn and King Point Lodges.

A Recurring Pattern

Flooding along Mat-Su rivers and creeks has become a recurring pattern. The Mat-Su Borough has documented multiple events in recent years where high water overtopped local roads and prompted safety warnings, including a 2019 Willow Creek flood that left Deneki Road impassible and required driver rescues. "Residents should not attempt to access the area as there are multiple areas that are unsafe and have caused drivers needing to be rescued, and vehicles to be abandoned," the Borough said at the time.

Residents near North Sushana Drive should monitor NOAA Weather Radio and local broadcasts for updates before the advisory expires Friday morning.