During the last few days, the village of Galena has been completely flooded by the mighty Yukon River.
The Yukon River was frozen solid through out the Alaska long winter, then Mother Nature turned winter into summer in a heart beat. The river ice broke up due to sudden 70 and 80 degree temperatures. But, the ice did not have a chance to melt into smaller pieces. Huge icebergs drifted down river and caused enormous ice jams all along the river. This effected the villages of Eagle, Circle and now Galena.
Only 20 miles downriver from Galena, at a spot called Bishop Rock there was an enormous ice jam. The water began to rise – quickly – and miles across the interior of Alaska was inundated with river water and icebergs. Most of the villagers had to leave their homes and worldly possessions only hours before the water and ice took over. The devastation is incredible.
But, some men and women did not leave despite the incredible risk to their lives. This picture makes my eyes tear up. We don’t know the whole story, since the flood waters are just receding now. But, we’ve heard that dog teams have been living in boats or on house porches for days.
These pictures are copied from the Fairbanks Daily Newsminer.
You can follow this story on their website:
There are various organizations helping these families including the American Red Cross of Alaska. You can follow the efforts of the Red Cross of Alaska on their Facebook Page.
I'm so glad to see the dawgs are safe…..G-Pa
Thanks Aliy for letting us know there is some progress and hoped for recovery from the super bad melt.
BTW – Since you showed us the picture of the marker that disappeared when the ice melted, back here in Connecticut I've been watching the snow melt/Yukon River problem via Reuters and ADN, and felt so bad for the nice folks in Galena. I copied a photo earlier this week…
http://www.aboutweston.com/SSPgalena.jpg
Those who are so dedicated to their animals have a special place in heaven waiting for them. I feel for those who've lost everything to the ice jams. Stay safe and keep the doggies safe too! God bless you!
This just breaks my heart. Snow on the 18th & breakup on the en in our 100 degree heat that would not melt all the ice from the Yukon. What devastation. Stay safe & keep all your dogs safe. Thanks, Aliy for the update.
Sweet dogs, being so good in the boat.
What I meant to saw–snow on the 18 & break up on the 21–even in our 100 degree temp, the ice would not have melted into smaller chunks.
So sorry to hear that! Thank you Aliy for letting us know and, for giving us the information as to how to help! God bless the people going thru that, and God bless the pups!!!
Unbelievably sad!!!! Thank you to many people who pooled together as neighbors to help both humans and animals. Praying this doesn't happen again!