Seward under flood watch as atmospheric river brings 3 to 4 inches of rain

The National Weather Service in Anchorage issued a flood watch for Seward on Wednesday. Forecasters said 3 to 4 inches of rain is likely as a strong frontal system carrying an atmospheric river of moisture moves over the southern Kenai Peninsula. The watch runs from Thursday evening until 4 pm Friday.

A watch means flooding is possible, not that it is happening. The weather service said small streams could flood, along with poorly drained spots in town.

Rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying places could flood, the watch said. Storm drains and ditches may clog with debris, and water may pond on roads.

Light rain should begin Thursday morning, with heavier rain arriving late Thursday evening. Between 10 pm Thursday and 10 am Friday, rain could fall at up to a quarter inch an hour. It should taper off slowly Friday afternoon.

This is at least the third flood watch for Seward since July. Forecasters expected 3 to 5 inches of rain in a July watch, and a flood warning followed. Another watch came in early August, with 2 to 4 inches forecast. On Oct. 16, water ran across the Seward Highway near Mile 13, by Grouse Creek Road about 13 miles north of town, according to Alaska 511.

Forecasters asked people to watch for a possible flood warning and said those in flood-prone areas should be ready to act if flooding develops. "Storm drains should be kept clear of debris as much as possible," the watch said.