Flooding on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska has caused several landslides Tuesday, blocking roads and downing power lines according to Alaska State Troopers. A National Weather Service flood warning, attributed to heavy rainfall and melting snow, remains in effect for urban areas and small streams throughout Southeast Alaska until 6 p.m. Tuesday. “Other mudslides will or have already occurred over the area as rainfall rates will continue to be in excess of 1 to 1.5 inches every 6 hours,” forecasters wrote. “In addition, road washouts are possible in areas of high stream levels.” AST spokesperson Beth Ipsen says crews with the state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities were first informed Tuesday of a landslide, between Mile 22 and Mile 23 of Coffman Cove Road. “DOT workers were out working on that when another one appeared outside of Hollis,” Ipsen said. Both Coffman Cove Road and the Klawock-Hollis Highway remain blocked by the two slides, with Whale Pass Road -- the main route between Naukati and Whale Pass -- washed out at about Mile 32 of the road. Although Ipsen says no state of emergency has been declared and no injuries have been reported, she recommends that people stay indoors if at all possible and travel only if absolutely necessary. “Try not to drive, especially into water, because we don’t want to see people washed away by the flowing waters,” Ipsen said.
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