Past Fairbanks Disasters

Fairbanks North Star Borough disaster
  • 2021- Severe Winter Storms (DR-4648-AK): A series of three consecutive winter storms in Interior Alaska with heavy snow, freezing rain, and high winds caused widespread power outages for thousands of residents and made travel nearly impossible for days. 
  • 2020- Flood: In April, a period of warm temperatures initiated a rapid dynamic breakup of the Chena River. Ice Jams formed on the upper Chena and in downtown Fairbanks. Flooding was reported from residences near Mile 24 of Chena Hot Springs Road and on Freeman Road. The Chena Flood Control Project operated from April 24-30. Shortly after, the rapid melting of the large snowpack in the area caused the Chena, Salcha, and Chatanika Rivers to reach flood stage. Minor flooding was reported in the Steamboat Landing area off Freeman Road. The Chena Flood Control Project was operated from May 11-16 to prevent flood damage to Downtown Fairbanks. 
  • 2019- Sinkholes and Subsidence: Goldstream garden became a pond due to a sinkhole. Additionally, a Goldstream residential cabin was required to use extensive jacking and cribbing to stabilize from subsidence under the cabin. 
  • 2019- Flood: In August, rainfall levels exceeded the cubic feet per second for the Chena River, and the Moose Creek Dam flood gates were closed for a couple of days. Properties between Rosie Creek Road and the Tanana River experience flooding due to the Tanana River flood stage.
  • 2019- Shovel Creek Fire (FM-5282-AK): This fire was started by lightning northwest of Fairbanks near Murphy Dome and burned nearly 23,000 acres. Many residents were forced to evacuate as the fire ultimately burned for over six weeks in June-July.
  • 2018- Heavy Snow: A build-up of heavy snow collapsed the roofs of the historic Masonic Temple and the F&H Fitness Studio.
  • 2016- Winter Storm: A winter storm with heavy snowfall and wind gusts upwards of 50 mph left thousands of residents without power.
  • 2016- Flood: In July-August, rainfall levels exceeded the cubic feet per second (cfs) for the Chena River, and the Moose Creek Dam flood gates were closed. Properties near Perkins Road also experienced flooding due to the Tanana River over the flood stage. Some areas in and around Fairbanks experienced high groundwater flooding. Both rivers and associated sloughs were flooding over their banks.
  • 2014- Sinkholes: In June-July, a series of sinkholes led to the closure of the Wendell Avenue and Clear Creek Bridges for repairs. Another sinkhole, which was 72 feet deep, was found in Gold Hill and required five truckloads of gravel to fill.
  • 2014- Flood: In June, heavy rainfall caused the Salcha and Chena Rivers to reach crests of nearly 18 and 22 feet, respectively, inundating several areas along Chena Hot Springs Road and Salcha in flood water. This prompted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to operate the Moose Creek Dam to regulate the flow of the Chena River until flooding could subside.
  • 2013- Winter Storm (DR-4162-AK): A winter storm bearing snow, freezing rain, and wind gusts up to 55 mph left a trail of broken trees and downed power lines in Interior Alaska, plunging thousands in the people into the dark for days.
  • 2013- Stuart Creek 2 Fire: This fire, located between Chena Hot Springs and Eielson Air Force Base, burned 87,154 acres in 2003, forcing the evacuation of over 300 residents and 450 animals. Smoke from the fire created unhealthy air quality and poor driving visibility within many areas of the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB). The estimated cost was $21 million.
  • 2012- Dry Creek Fire: In 2012, the Dry Creek Fire consumed 47,154 acres lasting from June 23 to November 15, representing almost 20% of the total acreage burned within all of Alaska during the 2012 fire season. The Dry Creek fire was lightning-caused (AICC 2012).
  • 2013- Flood: In May, an ice dam formed, which flooded properties in Salcha along the Tanana River. 
  • 2011- Hastings and Moose Mountain Fires: The Moose Mountain Fire (FM-2909) started on May 20 and was not extinguished until September 8. Although this fire appears small in acreage compared to others in the Borough, it cost over $5 million to suppress due to its location near the small community of Goldstream and numerous rural residences.
  • 2011- Hastings Fire:  In May 2011, the Hastings Fire ignited and ultimately burned over 54,000 acres. On June 6, an evacuation advisory was issued for residents of the Hayes Creek Subdivision. By June 16, the initial risk to over 400 residences was greatly reduced. This was a human-caused fire and was declared extinguished at 54,217 acres on September 8. Estimated suppression costs were over $18 million dollars. In addition to this cost, fighting this fire simultaneously with the Moose Mountain Fire was a significant drain on available local resources.
  • 2011- Rail Car Derailment: In February, a rail car derailed within Fairbanks occurred due to extreme snow conditions. February of 2011 set a record for the second-snowiest February with 30.3 inches for a monthly total. 
  • 2010- Willow Creek Fire: In 2010, one of the biggest fires at 13,766 acres was the Willow Creek fire, located only ten miles south of the Fairbanks airport in a grassy swamp area. It started on June 10 and burned into August, causing smoke pollution in the Salcha and North Pole areas (AICC 2010).
  • 2009- Flood (DR-1843-AK): On April 28, Salcha experienced flooding due to ice jams on the Tanana River. Water dammed up behind the ice jams causing the water to flow over the banks of the river. Sections of roads were impassable; several homes were surrounded by water, and the water rose about 3 feet in an hour. The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the area.
  • 2008-2009- Extreme Cold: From December to January, there were 15 consecutive days of ‐40°F or colder temperatures recorded in Fairbanks. This was the longest cold snap recorded since 1973.
  • 2008- Flood (DR-1796-AK): The rapid collection of rainwater run-off in the Tanana Valley Drainage caused record-high water levels and severe flooding throughout and beyond the FNSB. Areas impacted by the flood included the communities of Salcha, Rosie Creek, Perkins Landing, and lower Chena Pump Road. An estimated 300 homes were damaged.
  • 2002 to 2003- Ice Jam Flooding: In the Fall of 2002, an ice jam became locked in place on the Tanana River and caused flooding in and around Salcha throughout the entire winter of 2002-2003. The flood event caused significant monetary damage and inconvenience to the residents of Salcha and other residential areas along the Tanana River.
  • 2002- Magnitude 7.9 Earthquake: On November 3, 2002, an earthquake occurred along the Denali Fault, the strongest earthquake ever recorded in Interior Alaska. Fairbanks experienced over three minutes of continuous shaking but escaped serious damage.
  • 2002- Flood (DR-1423-AK): Glacial runoff during the 2002 spring breakup event on the Tanana River caused significant flooding of roads and residences in the Community of Salcha.
  • 1992- Groundwater Flood: In May, rain falling on the remains of a heavy winter snowpack sent a large surge of water down the Chena River. The floodgates were lowered on the Chena River at the Moose Creek Dam, resulting in a 17-day impoundment of water within the floodway. The water impoundment was 23 feet deep, covering more than 7,200 acres across the floodway. The Chena River Flood Control Project worked exactly as it was designed, with potential floodwaters being diverted from the Chena River into the Tanana River over a spillway located at the end of the floodway. During the impoundment, however, the groundwater west (downstream) of the Chena River Flood Control Project became elevated as predicted. As a result, over 90 homes in the North Pole area were damaged by elevated groundwater levels.
  • 1989- Extreme Cold: Fairbanks came to a halt for fourteen days with temperatures of ‐50 to ‐ 70°F. Aircraft were grounded for more than six days during this event.
  • 1967- Fairbanks Flood (DR-230): In August 1967, the historical flood of record occurred in the Fairbanks area. 95% of the City of Fairbanks was inundated with water for approximately five days, which caused more than $170 million in damage. Almost 6,000 homes were damaged, and many homes and businesses were completely destroyed. This historical flood of record was the result of near-continuous rainfall in the early weeks of August 1967 and result in eight deaths, millions of dollars in damage, and significant evacuations of people to communities outside the Fairbanks area.
  • 1966- Heavy Snow: February 1966 set a record as the snowiest February with 43.1 inches of total monthly snowfall. February 11th-12th set a record 24-hour snowfall of 20.1 inches. 
  • 1963- Major aircraft accident: A KC-135 lost an engine on takeoff from Eielson Air Force Base, veered to the left, and crashed, killing seven crew members. Debris also struck a guard house and a nearby waiting room, killing two more personnel.
  • 1955- Major aircraft accident: An F-84 slammed into Eielson family housing, killing 15. Seven of the victims were children.
  • 1948- Flood: Fairbanks experienced its second-largest flood of record, which inundated approximately 30% of the City.
  • 1947- Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake: This major earthquake was centered southeast of Nenana, on the Salcha River Fault. It was felt over most of central and southern Alaska and at two places in the Yukon Territory of Canada. It was related to more than 200 foreshocks and aftershocks. Considerable moderate damage extended from Fairbanks to Nenana. Landslides occurred on the Tanana River.
  • 1937- Magnitude 7.3 Earthquake: This large earthquake occurred on present-day Eielson Air Force Base, about 25 miles southeast of Fairbanks. It was felt over most of Alaska's Interior (about 300,000 square miles). Aftershocks occurred for several months. Fairbanks sustained considerable minor damage. At Salcha Bluff, southeast of Fairbanks, the highway was blocked for several meters by a landslide. Near there, mud boils appeared, and cracks as wide as 38 centimeters formed. Water in the nearby slough rose considerably above its normal level and did not subside for several days.
  • 1937 -Flood: Downtown Fairbanks flooded from First Avenue to Fourth Avenue between Lacey Street and Cowles Street.
  • 1932- Fire: On December 4, 1932, Fairbanks' only wooden school, burned to the ground, leaving 340 school-age children without a place to attend school. Two weeks after the fire, temporary classrooms were established at Moose Hall, American Legion Hall, and Eagles Hall. At times, when more space was necessary, the school was also held at the Masonic Temple and the Presbyterian Church. This "temporary" arrangement lasted for 15 months, although discussions and proposals for a new school began immediately after the fire.
  • 1930- Flood: Downtown Fairbanks flooded along First Avenue west to Cowles Street.
  • 1918 to 1919- Influenza Pandemic: In an effort to stop the spread of the pandemic, Fairbanks established quarantine stations, also guarded by marshals. Citizens were checked periodically for flu and given armbands reading "OK Fairbanks Health Department." An experimental vaccine was imported from Seattle and distributed throughout the area in the hopes that it would prevent the spread of the disease. It did not. Despite these precautions, influenza spread rapidly throughout the region in the late fall. Despite these precautions, influenza spread rapidly throughout the region in the late fall. Because subsistence living was common throughout the territory, influenza killed Alaskans both directly and indirectly. When a family became ill with influenza, no one was left to feed the fires. Many people simply froze to death in their own homes.
  • 1912- Earthquake: Magnitude 7.2 occurred near Paxson. This earthquake was reportedly "violent" at Fairbanks. The earth heaved and rolled at the north base of Mount McKinley, and the country was scarred by landslides.
  • 1911- Flood: An ice jam on the Chena River pushed thick ice and debris against buildings, and many buildings in the Garden Island Subdivision were carried away.
  • 1906- Fire: In 1906, fire ruined much of the original log town site, and only a few buildings survived. Replacements were frame homes and stores using lumber produced at two local sawmills. For the first time, two-story buildings appeared.
  • 1905- Flood: The City of Fairbanks experienced a significant flood along First Avenue from Lacey Street to Turner Street. A bridge upstream from the City, on the Chena River, collapsed. Its wreckage caught on the newly constructed bridge across the Chena River in the Downtown area blocking the river's ice flow during break-up. As the river rose, the town flooded, and the stream bank eroded 50 feet inward along First Avenue. The new bridge had to be dynamited to break the ice-free.
  • 1904- Magnitude 7.3 Earthquake: The second largest quake ever reported in interior Alaska, causing buildings to sway and crack.

Notes: DR-####-AK indicates a Federal Disaster Declaration.  FM-#### indicates a Federal Fire Management Assistance Declaration