Yentna River forecast to crest above flood stage tonight

A river in the roadless heart of the Susitna Valley is rising past flood stage, and forecasters expect it to reach several cabins by Wednesday night. The Yentna River near Lake Creek is projected to crest around 21 feet late Wednesday — about half a foot over flood stage — sending water into low-lying cabins along the bank and swamping the gravel bars people camp on.

What makes it harder here is where it is. This stretch of the Yentna, near the community of Skwentna about 62 air miles northwest of Anchorage, has no roads — people reach their cabins by bush plane and riverboat. That isolation means cabin owners and river users can't respond as quickly to the rising water.

Rain has been driving the rise, and up to another inch could fall before conditions ease. The flood advisory runs through noon Thursday, and the Weather Service is urging anyone in the area to watch river levels and stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio for updates.