PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday January 29, 2014 - 6:00 PM The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) has reopened mileposts 18-42 of the Richardson Highway as of this afternoon. The Richardson Highway through Keystone Canyon is still closed and is expected to remain closed until at least next Sunday, February 2nd. This estimate will be updated tomorrow. ADOT&PF continues to monitor Keystone Canyon, including the water level behind the dam created by the avalanche which is still receding at a rate of 3 inches per hour. They are also monitoring stability of the snowpack to determine when it is safe for crews to perform snow removal. ADOT&PF plan to do more avalanche mitigation in the Keystone Canyon area tomorrow (January 30th). Images of the Lowe River flow continue to be monitored live through the Valdez Police Department (VPD) Dispatch. The flash flood watch for Keystone Canyon has been extended until 4:00 PM tomorrow (January 30th). However, the City advisory for a voluntary evacuation of the subdivisions in the 10 mile area has been cancelled and the city provided shelter at the Teen Center has been closed. Should residents within the watch area have shelter needs they may call Valdez Police Dispatch at 835-4560 and actions to reactivate the shelter will be initiated. The Teen Center is now being used for normal operations, though they are not scheduling special or pre‐planned events. The local post office is now accepting and sending all types of mail via air service. This will remain in effect throughout the road closure, though delivery times could be affected due to weather conditions that might prevent flight operations. Safeway is expecting another barge of food and supplies on Saturday afternoon. For specific needs for businesses, please contact Matt Ficek, Store Manager, at 461-3300 to make arrangements. The City of Valdez will provide another press release at 10:00 AM tomorrow morning (Thursday, January 30th) unless there are significant changes to the situation. Posted January 29, 2014 Holly Wolgamott, Deputy City Clerk/PIO, City of Valdez
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 03:20:32 +0000
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