Rains, mudslides strand two dozen travellers

One person is feared missing and more than two dozen travellers are stranded after heavy rain on Sunday washed out huge sections of Alaska’s Taylor Highway – some as long as 15 kilometres – between Tok and the Tetlin Junction.

One person is feared missing and more than two dozen travellers are stranded after heavy rain on Sunday washed out huge sections of Alaska’s Taylor Highway – some as long as 15 kilometres – between Tok and the Tetlin Junction.

“It was reported a vehicle went off the road and we’ve located it in the water but what’s to come of that right now, it’s an ongoing situation,” Megan Peters, an Alaska State Trooper spokeswoman, told the Star.

This morning, upwards of 20 vehicles were stranded between Mile 67 and Mile 160 of the Taylor Highway.

The artery, which links up with the Top of the World Highway, is a favourite route for sightseers traveling through the Yukon to Alaska or vice-versa.

Currently, state troopers are attempting to locate the driver of the car that plunged into the river at Mile 113.

The highway is closed indefinitely until the 150-kilometre section can be repaired.

“There’s very severe washouts, sliding of hills and we’ve lost quite a few sections and long sections,” said Meadow Bailey of Alaska’s Department of Transportation.

Bailey estimates it will be two to three days before work crews can bring the highway back to a standard to allow those stranded to proceed.

“There’s no estimate for how long it would take (to fully repair the highway) beyond that,” she said.

“So we’re discouraging travel, especially for larger vehicles.”

State troopers responded to the crisis on Sunday by flying into the region and offering to evacuate people stuck on the crumbling highway; however, all opted to stay put.

Most are travelling by recreational vehicles, said Bailey, so shelter and food have not been issues, but one person suffering from an unrelated medical condition may be evacuated today, she added.

Those planning to travel to the Top of the World Highway and beyond are asked to check road conditions prior to departure at http://511.alaska.gov or by telephone from the Yukon, dial 1-866-282-7577 for up to date information.