The National Weather Service says two ice jams have put the Western Alaska village of Deering at risk for moderate to major flooding.
A flood warning was issued late Wednesday afternoon. An ice jam with rain and snowmelt is causing the Inmachuck River to rise near Deering, the weather agency said.
"The airport road is now under about 3 feet of water," the warning says. "River water levels are about 1 foot below levels that would impact (village buildings)."
The village of about 135 is at the mouth of the river, built on a flat sand and gravel spit 300 feet wide and a half-mile long.
Mayor Ron Moto said villagers placed sandbags along the road that connects residents to the airport, but rain overnight washed over the bags.
The rain stopped midday, Moto said. The Northwest Arctic Borough is sending more sandbags, which will be used to reestablish a barrier against flooding, he said.
None of the buildings in the village have been affected, he said.
The flood warning is currently set to expire at 3:45 p.m. Thursday night.
Village officials have reported two ice jams formed along the Inmachuk near Deering – one at the mouth of the river and one upstream of the airport.
The river levels continue to rise due to snowmelt, and water is trapped behind the upstream ice jam. Snowmelt is expected to continue for several days; the jam at the river's mouth may hold for that long, too, the weather service said.
"Downstream locations will experience further significant rises in the river levels. If the ice jam holds … water levels may rise to the point of causing moderate to major flooding. Tidal fluctuations are also expected to influence river levels near the mouth."
The village spoke with multiple agencies about the potential risks, Moto said. The weather service relayed to officials there that water could rise by more than 1 foot overnight.
"We'll just have to see what happens," the mayor said.
If water reaches the village, official buildings like the school and health clinic have been set up to take in displaced residents.
People are also keeping a close eye on the children in the village, making sure they don't get too close to the water, Moto said.