Rural Update – News from the Flood Zone
The unprecedented flooding on the Yukon River has wiped out riverside homes and buildings, devastating the village of Eagle with enormous chunks of ice and raging floodwaters. Residents were able to escape but had to leave their homes and most of their possessions behind. Mudflatter Yukonbushgrandma who is a frequent commenter here on The Mudflats was right in the thick of things in the flood zone. This is her story. I will post updates as they become available.
Right now, she and her husband are staying with friends on higher ground, and they are safe. Our thoughts go out to them and all those who have been so devastated by this event.
*************************************
~~The house of yukonbushgrandma~~
My hubby and I lived right down by the Yukon, but we were set back a ways, and we always felt pretty safe during breakup.
This year was SURREAL.
We are still in shock. And every now and then I enter a state of numbness and inability to deal with the reality of what we face.
We were the lead story one night on KTUU. Those brave ladies (reporter & videographer) wanted to see, and record, what our house looked like after the onslaught. I hadn’t seen it yet myself. They walked down the steep bank of moss, roots and stumps, and eventually we got down to the house. It was totally enveloped in massive ice chunks, preventing entry to the house anywhere. The only way to enter was to break a window and enter by ladder, being very careful not to get cut by broken window shards.
We have entered that window many times since then, trying to retrieve anything that might be salvageable. Every time we go there, I cry. We can get things, but they are so messed up, covered with diesel and silt, that we wonder if it’s truly worth rescuing them.
On the night of breakup, I hurt my right leg. After the first surge of the river, we waited. Hubby was sitting by the window, watching the water level. All of a sudden he said, “we gotta go, NOW!” I turned off the lights, put on my rubber boots, and went out the door. In that short time, the water had risen so much that I waded through eight inches of water to get to high ground. Our 4-wheeler was in the way of the water, so the both of us pushed it up the steep bank, through snow and ice. The 4-wheeler ran over me a couple of times, and that escapade really messed up my right leg.
Today hubby went down there and somehow – miraculously – found one of our freezers buried under the massive ice blocks. It was totally filled with stuff we had just purchased a week before, and it would have been a great loss. The door was on the bottom, so he had to saw the freezer apart to save the contents. We were lucky — about a third of it was still salvageable.
I wish I could say that the state people are helping us ….. but I think it would be far better if we could take their wages and redirect them to moving the massive chunks of ice that are preventing us from doing anything here. Someone said that they’re worried about the diesel contamination going into the Yukon, so they don’t want to push the ice into the river. That ice and water are going to go there anyway!!! Can’t they just help us here, give us a way to get to what’s left of our homes and get the little what’s left out of them?
[More to follow]
YBG, I am so glad that you guys got out in time! I hope your leg is feeling better. If I lived in Alaska I would be there to help you but I think I’m just a little too far. I wish you and all your fellow residents the speediest recovery. Take care of yourselves and keep us posted on the process.
The lure of living (or at least having a cabin)on the bank of a river is a strong one.My family has a cabin on the banks of the Gulkana river(outside bend no less!),the cabin itself dates back to the early ’50’s right before statehood,and was moved there in the ’70’s by a family friend.
I fully expect some day to have it swept away by a breakup,as it is on an old flood plain AND on the outside bend,although it hasnt happened yet in 40+ yrs to my knowledge.
I couldnt see owning river front property under those circumstances any other way…..
I hope you have the ability to bounce back.
good luck
ak4195
Earlier than usual iced-over rivers, sudden “heat waves” in spring, ice floe flooding, what next? If “El Nino” and “La Nina” aren’t enough proof of climate change, surely the wild swings in season and temperature in central and even coastal Alaska should give the pundits and policy-makers a hint.
YBG, I’ll confess to being worried about Mudflats not hearing from you these last couple of days. I’m so sorry to read/hear of the disaster the ice has made of your home and belongings.
I hope you get all the support and assistance you and hubby need to repair, replace or build anew. The economy and employment situation isn’t helping; I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that some of the service agencies and construction businesses are functioning on skeleton staffs because of it.
Good luck.
ykonbushgrma,
I was very sorry to hear of your travails and the photos evoked the violence done to your home and your lie. I hope you will heal and be able to sort out a new situation as soon as possible.
The record-breaking temperatures and flood levels I read about elsewhere cause me to fear that you and your husband have joined the growing number of climate chaos refugees, and sadly, if governments all over the globe don’t start taking the threat seriously and begin to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, I expect you will be joined by many many more displaced persons as the weather becomes increasingly unpredictable and severe.
Best of luck to you.
yukonbushgrma-
So very glad to hear from you!
I’m so sorry about your home .
I wish knew something to say which would ease your losses… but I don’t.
Speak right up if there are things we can do…
Mail service coming in?
Any small special needs for you or your neighbors? The one-rate box champs of the world are reading here…
Best wishes neighbor.
yukonbushgrandma—sending warm and loving thoughts your way. just glad you and husband got out with your lives….love bea
Heartfelt wishes and prayers. Stay safe.
this sounds like a PERFECT use for the the ALsaka Fund Trust thingy gov. gimme set up…
Please keep in touch with us yukonbushgrma, leave updates on the open thread okay? let us know what people are saying, what they are going through, what it is like, what the needs are and definitely let us know what Scarah is doing or not doing for ya all.
Stay strong mudpuppy girlfriend.
All the best and courage! of which you have plenty.
yukonbushgrma,
I was so stunned by the pictures I forgot to even post virtual hugs and support for you. I’m so glad you are okay.
yukonbushgrma – So happy to see you on the tubes again. Please have the leg looked at and let us know what we can do.Your resilient , can do attitude shines through on your posts.
tigerwine – thanks for the extra effort from you and your son to get the word and pictures out on this mess.
YBG – good to have you with us again! I showed the picture of your home to my boss, who didn’t seem all that impressed – only said “they don’t have very many windows”. He thought it was snow, not ice in the picture! Didn’t realize it was the 2nd (3rd?) story of the house he was seeing. You should have seen his eyes pop out! Take Care – and keep in touch.
Sorry to hear about the flooding up there. Hope everyone is safe. Down here in the lower 48, West VA has had heavy flooding as well, declared a disaster area by the gov, and report this am of 7 miners who were rescued from a flooded mine. Should be noted that WV also has an unemployment rate of 14%. : (
The news from AK this am is of bears in Anchorage. I guess if you haven’t gotten used to living in the wilderness, you just can’t cope with nature. Many want license to kill any that come into town. We had a small bear come onto a hwy in our well populated area not far from a major city here in NC where even deer are often seen in the city. Bears sometimes wander down from the mountains and foothills not far from here. Wild animals often come into this area of late due to a years-long drought we had. This spring, though, we’re getting relief–cool and lots of rain.
Hope you can keep AK as the beautiful force of nature it is. We have so little left in the lower 48 because of “development.” Even in the mountains here in NC, they had to pass a “ridge law” to prevent overdevelopment of condos, basically summer homes for the tourist crowd; a victory for environmentalists. : )
I’m so sorry for what you are going through Yukonbushgrma. My heart goes out to you during this difficult time and the days ahead.
I am so sorry for your loss and those of the village. I can’t imagine not have my home.
But again, where is the Governor in all this mess? Was she even seen this weekend? She canceled her out of state meetings because of this crisis, but I did not read anything about what she has done.
Why was this excuse given if she was not a visible presence in the areas of the flooding?
Please let us know what we can do.
Thanks You
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Yukonbushgandma}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} and village of Eagle!
Please keep us updated as to what is needed – because your GINO surely doesn’t!
So sorry to hear of your personal loss, as well as the damage done elsewhere around Eagle. Will keep an eye out for the Wells Fargo fund. Our thoughts are with you.
yukonbushgrma, I’m glad to know you and hubby are safe! That’s the main thing! Have you had the leg checked out? Hope it’s going to be ok!
Sending lots of warm thoughts and positive vibes your way.
Youkonbushgrandma, this is awful. Somehow the image of your husband sawing into the freezer to save some of your food brought it home as much as the picture of your icelocked house. Glad you and your husband are OK.
@42 Pat, Washington state Says:
“It’s good that there is already a fund set up, but has there been any effort to declare a natural disaster area so you can qualify for federal funds, since the insurance companies are wriggling out of paying?”
========
Sen. Mark Begich did send a letter to President Obama requesting federal disaster declaration. The state people here in Eagle told us that there’s a very slim chance of a federal declaration since the number of people affected is relatively small. Heh, we were told that maybe they could get a federal declaration if the rest of the towns in AK were flooded too, so then it would be a statewide disaster. But now it looks like Eagle might be the worst and there aren’t enough other towns to help qualify. Sad, eh?
How fortunate that you made it out in time. Wow, I have never in my life seen the likes of this – ever. I am very glad you are safe and didn’t suffer more serious injuries – a miracles really when you look at those pictures. So sad and sorry for you.
Glad you and Mr. Yukonbushgrandma made it out safely. So sorry about your poor house.
Sending healing thoughts your way for your leg AND your psyche.
Uh oh. What happened to the page? Different color, smaller font, no sidebar. Is it just me?
Yukonbushgrandma
What is the state of Alaska doing for you and others in a crisis situation
1. nothing
2. officials have been in touch
3. disaster rescue personnel have provided help
4. send me your email, I will send you either some funny DVDs or some good CDs or perhaps a bit of both
4.
Thanks for letting us know your status. I hope you can get into the house soon and salvage more of your belongings and memories. I’m sure it will be a wrenching decision about where and when to rebuild. With sincere sympathies for all you have lost,
Lyn
yukonbushgrma…
You and your family are in our thoughts.
Take care. Anything we can do to help, just let us know.
Candy Knight, sorry about Katrina also. That must still hurt a bunch.
Yukonbushgrandma, I’m so sorry.
Please let us know if Wells Fargo has a site so that we can donate via Paypal or an address that we can send checks to.
Take care.
yukonbushgrma
Glad you are, for the most part, OK.
We were getting worried.
Lots of Love.
There are no specifics that I can find yet on the Wells Fargo “Rebuild Eagle” fund, so I’m going to call the Fairbanks branch tomorrow to get an address and more information for folks who want to help in that way. I will update at anonymousbloggers as soon as we have more info:
http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/2009/05/10/eagle-ak-this-year-was-surreal/
I pray that you will be protected and provided for during this time, and that, somehow, thru it all, things will be even better for you than they were before. Keep your courage up and keep going…. You will make it!
My heart goes out to you all. But as someone who spent a year rebuilding her house after Katrina, I can tell you, Save everything you can. Yes, I know at this stage that everything is such a mess you think, What’s the point? But you’ll be amazed how things clean up. I threw out some things in those first few days of mucking out the house that I now realize I should have kept. In the end, I even collected bits and pieces of antiques, cleaned them up, glued them back together, and now you’d never know what they’ve been through. So save what you can, and as for what you can’t–it’s only stuff.
And KTUU, which mentions the Wells Fargo account (sorry, can’t post two links or the spam fairy eats my post):
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=10334712
Some news from ADN:
http://www.adn.com/news/environment/flooding/story/790705.html
yukonbushgrma
So glad to know you’re OK, hurt leg and all. Big hugs to your spouse for getting you out of there in time and for getting your food and things. More big hugs to Tigerwine’s son for the pictures. I CANNOT even begin to imagine what this is like for you. I know your strength will get you through this. If you need anything, please let us know.
Hey yukonbushgrma
I am fairly new here but I am heartsick for your loss and your village’s loss. My thoughts and well wishes are with you all. Take care of that leg and hang in there! Like many others, I am speechless when I see that picture of your home. Home is where the heart is and I’m glad you and yours are safe with a strong heart to continue with a new home.
Oh my YBG, I’m so glad you and DH are safe. This is so devastating and heartbreaking, such a beautiful, clearly beloved house! Maybe someone will set up a Paypal acct to make it easier for us to whip out our wallets. Keeping positive thoughts for you & DH & your friends & neighbors.
yukonbushgrma
You are one tough Mudpuppy, hurt leg and all! I am almost speechless. We knew when you missed your late nights that something was wrong. I don’t know what else to say, I really am at a loss of words after looking at your house. I hope people and critters all got high and dry in time. It’s so GREAT to hear from you, we were worried.
Great news that you are okay (aside from the leg). Don’t believe everything the insurance companies tell you. Take pictures of where ice caused damage. Put in for everything regardless of what they tell you. Do everything in writing. Make them respond in writing. Accept nothing which is unacceptable. If your insurance company is unreasonable, name them. But only after you go thru the process. It may take some time but you should be covered for nearly everything. Keep us informed.
YBG – I’m so glad to hear that you got out, mostly safely. How is your leg? But what a horrible thing to go through. It’s good that there is already a fund set up, but has there been any effort to declare a natural disaster area so you can qualify for federal funds, since the insurance companies are wriggling out of paying?
Flood damage is so difficult, especially when you have to wait for the flood waters and ice to recede.
Take care, and thanks for letting us know what happened.
oh…wow…..I’m not good at expressing my thoughts and reactions in writing.
We are so glad to here that you are safe. Please take care. Know that you have a strong community behind you. We’ll be watching for what we can do to help. In the meantime you and all those affected are in our thoughts.
First chance to sit down and get to Mudflats! Wow, you guys are pretty darned great. Thanks, AKM, for letting people know what’s happened here in Eagle.
And thanks to Tigerwine (and son!) for getting the pix to AKM. Guess what? – I can tell that these photos were taken somewhat early in the breakup process, because by Wednesday night the view was somewhat different. All of those trees on the left side of the photo are gone now. After these shots, a tremendous surge of massive ice and water came in … the ice here is relatively small in size. The chunks deposited toward the end of breakup were the ones that did the damage and pushed our house off the foundation, right into the steep bank behind. Many of those chunks are as big as a cabin, and solid. They will be there for a long, long time. The road is washed out completely, so we have to get there by climbing down the steep bank.
Many of you have asked about donations. I think the community is pretty well set with food and clothing, at least for now. There is a fund set up with Wells Fargo – I believe it’s called “Rebuild Eagle.” That is what we’ll be needing now … a way to get building supplies and make something new to live in.
Many of us had insurance, but they won’t pay since they say it’s due to a flood. (I beg to differ; the damage was from the ice!) I remember that hubby and I tried to get flood insurance and were told we weren’t able to get it. It sounds like the maximum people might get for re-homing would be $5,000, which will help but won’t go very far.
The Red Cross came in yesterday and will be running the incident command center. But I give the most credit to Eagle residents, who set up the shelter at the school and have taken care of our needs from the first moment. And the folks from National Park Service, BLM, and Fire Service have been there right in the thick of it.
We keep saying, “it’s only stuff.” And really, it’s true.
yukonbushgrandma,
It seems so unfair! The river freezes early creating hardships of crisis proportions, then it melts early and strikes another blow.
I’m so sorry for you and all our neighbors who have lived or will be living through this.
I put part of your Mudflats post up at anonymousbloggers dot wordpress dot com. I hope you will keep us informed about your situation in Eagle and let us know if there is anything we can do.
Even if it’s simply flooding certain agencies with phone calls to let them know we are paying attention, we want to help!
Yukonbushgrmna, my heart is breaking seeing your home and hearing your story. I have tears running down my cheeks. Please let us know what you need. We’ve been thinking about you for several days, worrying the whole time, I’m so glad you and your husband are okay.
Please keep in touch with us.
Kay
Yukonbushgrma, I’m so glad y’all are okay. My prayers are with you and yours. Be safe.
Will keep checking back to see what is needed to help.
Yukonbushgandma~ Soooo gd your ok. that’s the main thing right now…Keep your chin up…Lost my place in a fire, Thank god your still with us…Big Big (((hug))) for you and hubby…:))
Unrelated, but didn’t know where to put this. I do radio spots on Jim Alger’s show: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/common-sense-with-jim-alger
They’re called My Tweet Spots, and I wrap up the week in Twitters, w/ 2-minute segments. One is DEVOTED ENTIRELY TO SARAH PALIN, complete with my “impression”.
Couldn’t resist posting that here. See you at The Political Carnival, where I link to Mudflats regularly, and post all things Palin… well, the good stuff. ; )
Yukonbushgrmna: I’m glad you and husband are safe; please take care of your leg–you only have two (heh heh). I’ve been in a house fire that destroyed everything, so I know the devastated feeling. Please, please let your mupup buddies know what we can do for you both, or anyone else in Eagle. We’re rolling up our sleeves, ready to lend a hand.
Warm hugs to you-
yukonbushgrandma: My heart goes out to you and your husband (and all of the other folks who have been affected by this flood). Usually, it’s the picture that is more shocking than the words, but in this case only after I read your story accompanying the photos could I truly grasp what has happened there.
I know kind comments only go so far, but I hope the ones here help you to get through this trauma a little easier. Being in Anchorage, we are often insulated from the harsher realities of rural Alaska. Hopefully stories like this from you and others will help the appropriate authorities and outside community understand the seriousness of this situation.
Take care.
Yukonbushgrandma,
It is a relief to hear from you. So sorry for the circumstances that are keeping you away, you will rebuild, you have survived.
Hope to hear from you again soon.
((((((((((yukonbushgrma))))))))))!! I am so sorry to read about the loss of your home, but I am eternally grateful that you and your husband got out alive. I have been mainly a lurker in the early mornings when you and austintx have posted back and forth, so I was concerned when austin kept asking if anyone had heard about you. My thoughts are with you, and take care of that leg.
I’ll await instructions on what we can do to help. Keep your chins up- all in due time you’ll be back in your beautiful home, fresh clean and shiny. Exhale. Hug each other. And don’t forget, you’ve got backup 🙂 Hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!
ybg…take care of that leg. i think you are not telling us just how bad it might be, especxially since you had to wrestle with that four wheeler.
we’re all here for you and your neighbors. let us know how we can help.
hugs to all
yukonbushgrandma–A Mother’s Day sentiment that I’m glad you are still here, and also that I’m so sorry for your material loss. Any disruption in our lives hurts. When it’s a whole community, it cuts even deeper. . . .
I know Mudflatters will come through with whatever we can, to help.
(the pajama blogger formerly known as Palimonium)
Wow. I am so sorry this has happened, and so glad you are safe. Please let us know when we can help and how.
yukonbushgrandma–my thoughts and prayers are with you and your hubby. It is just terrible what you are going through. Please let us know how we can help.
With big hugs.
Karin
I am so glad to know you and hubby are safe and hope it won’t take too long before a recovery effort can start. This is heartbreaking. I am speechless.
oh yukonbushgrma, lots of big hugs to you! it’s so very sad to see the pics of your home.
It’s just stuff, those things in our houses which can burn, be blown apart by tornadoes or hurricanes, demolished by earth quakes or swept away by floods. Some things are out of our control. I’ve been through wind swept forest fire evacs and on coming tornadoes, bottom line, saving your lives comes first. You guys did good.
Been through the scary drama many times, but never had to experience the real blow, it must be a terrible. I’m so sorry for all your loss, but so very glad you and the hubby are safe.
I’m also concerned that your leg is hurt, what type of hurt? If you need medical attention please seek it asap.
There isn’t a really appropriate comment for those pictures. Nature can be a real mother. What a winter you’ve had in the bush. The only remotely good news is that there doesn’t seem to have been much loss of life.
I hope you’re able to salvage some of the irreplacable stuff — pictures, keepsakes, heirlooms. Even more imprtantly, I hope your leg recovers quickly.
yukonbushgrandma – sending love from CA and standing by awaiting your list of needs – it is our honor to help, and please allow us the priviledge of being a part of your re-building.
Please let us know what we can do to help.
Seriously:
Clothing, kithchen implements (I just took a bunch of pots and pans knives, and a big kerosene heater to Goodwill yesterday! None of it was junk it was just things that were in storage and were duplicates and triplicates and some had never been used.
Most Americans have way too much stuff. Help us spread that wealth as well.
You not begging, your just receiving to day, and tomorrow you will be the giver when someone else is in need.
I got tornatoed in 1979, and I know it can be overwhelming, now and in the weeks and months that follow.
Oh my…
I am so glad you and hubby are alive and well YBG. Please let us know what we can do to help you and your neighbors.
This is dreadful. I’m so sorry for everyone. We will find ways to help. Keep us posted on what is happening, what is most needed and ideas for the best and most efficient ways of helping.
Thank you for the photos- love and luck.
Maybe i’ve been missing them in Canada, but I hadn’t seen all that many pictures- and the main one seemed to be a rough old log cabin broken up. That picture communicated a feeling of, ‘well, it was a place in need of rebuilding anyway’. Whereas your beautiful metal roof says- ‘Look! This is what’s been lost- this is a cherished and cozy home that anyone would fight to defend.’ I understand why your husband wanted to stay as long as possible.
Yes, I know that all bush homes are cherished- but your photo fights stereotypes, so I’m glad it was on TV.
I’m glad you and your husband are safe. I’ll be looking on the blog for ways to help you recover from your devastating loss.
Thank you for finally getting a word to us! tigerwine’s son, thank you so very much. I’m not in a position to do much, but if $5 would help, I’m ready….and what a lovely house! Oh, Sarah is just SO disappointing!
What a tragedy for all the people there. What can we do to help? I’m sure many of us would be glad to send boxes out as soon as we know whats needed and where to send it. Please keep us updated.
Living on a river always involves risk.
Gotta brag – my son took those pictures of Yukonbushgrma’s house – I think from the Park Service helicopter. He and Ybg’s husband work together, and he got to meet her. I hope they see each other again under better circumstances.
She mentioned the diesel fuel – my son said the smell permeated the whole scene. From the notes I took from my Mother’s Day call, he seemed to agree that the state wasn’t doing all that much. There was a water quality guy, a Haz Mat fellow and a public health rep there. Oddly enough, the state troopers were not that strong a presence. Someone earlier posted that the Post Office was gone, but Andy said it was OK. Eagle Village and Front St. in Eagle are gone, but some HUD homes up higher in Eagle are OK.
Can we get those flat rate boxes going again? Find out what YBG needs?
Tigerwine,
I just emailed you to ask how to credit the photos. Do let me know so I can include that. They are amazing. As for relief services, I am waiting to hear back from yukonbushgrandma to see what they need, if anything. I know that the Red Cross is involved in this one, but don’t know if local residents are getting everything they need. I will definitely keep everyone posted as I learn more.
AKM
OMG!!!!
The amazing power of nature.
We flirt with it’s power, whether on California cliff, an Alaskan river, Florida beachfront or like me, along a river in Maine.
It’s what makes life and living spectacular.
I expect you, as I understand the challenges and the odds, and will probably rebuild as soon as possible, with maybe only a few modifications.
My heart goes out to you and hubby on your loss, but I’m confident you’ll hike those boots back on and deal with it. It sounds like you do that. Cutting open the freezer to save 1/3 of the contents….and being happy about it.
You go girl.
OMG you all are in my thoughts and prayers. Please be safe.
Speechless. What devastation. I’m so glad that you and Spouse are safe. Know that we are all here wishing and hoping for better days to come for you and all the people there affected by this terrible break-up.
Many positive thoughts coming toward you for a safe and healthy recovery.
Is Red Cross on the scene?
I am so very sorry for your loss, for ALL of you that have survived and your homes did not. There just are no words, none at all, that can offer any real comfort to you. I cannot presume to imagine how you must feel. You do know that you have much support at The Mudflats. If any group of folks are willing to help, in whatever way they might be able, they are here.
I remain at a loss to understand why all of this, or some of this could not have been prevented.
Surely it would have been feasible to blast the blockages.
Once buildings, vehicles and septic systems etc., become included in the debris, THAT environmental hazard would outweigh concerns of the effect of the blasting. Maybe I’m wrong, but I know that blasting is still practiced in Canada, even with OUR stringent environmental laws.
Terrible and devastating news. I also am so sorry for this hardship.
WHOA !! First , thanks for letting us know you are ok. I’m speechless……….keep us posted. I wanna just whip out to the ranch and get the front end loader and start pushin’ stuff around for you.
yukonbushgrma
Oh, I am so, so sorry this happened to you and your family. We have all been waiting anxiously for news of you. This is awful, I am sure AKM will come up with a way we can help you a bit, as much as we can anyway.
Sending massive hugs into the blogosphere and wishing I was near enough to give you a lovely place to live.
My heart is with you and with everyone in your village and all who are affected by this terrible flooding. I will check back here to see what I can do to help you all.
OMG – how do we we start to tell you how we feel for you and wish we could just dig in beside you with big equipment and go to work?
I am at loss of what to say or do for you and the others like you.
Knowing we, who also live beside a river in a remote village, could easily be you.
Know we are here, willing to help and if nothing else thinking of you and all your loss.
We await anything you can tell us you need from us and we can do for you.
Vic