Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

Southeast Alaska is facing heavy rains of up to four inches in a 24-hour period beginning Thursday as multiple storm systems roll through the region, bringing potential flooding and high winds.

“Basically, our summer season is over. Fall is here,” said Andrew Park, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Juneau.

Park warned boaters out on the water to beware of winds, which could gust up to 40 miles per hour, causing dangerous conditions. Moose hunters out for opening day on Sept. 15 could also face dangerous rain and wind conditions, and should be careful, Park said. The event is considered an atmospheric river based on the amount of moisture it’s bringing, though it is only expected to last a few days.

Haines could see more than an inch of rain, and more in the mountains, forecasts show. River levels on the Chilkat are not expected to reach above flood stages, but Park said forecasters are keeping an eye on it. The weather service issued a flood watch for the entirety of Southeast Alaska beginning Thursday through Sunday.

Park said the event in the Haines area is statistically a one-year event, which means on average, the area experiences a similar event once per year.

Farther south, the region is facing more significant rainfall in what is predicted to be a five-year rain event. Landslides are predicted from Sitka to as far north as Juneau.