Floods and mud slides close highway, rail line

? Tough going between Alaska’s two biggest cities: Flooding and mud slides closed the main highway and rail line between Anchorage and Fairbanks.

At least 150 people were evacuated from their homes after the heavy rain; flooding destroyed a home and a cabin and damaged more than 100 houses. No injuries were reported.

Rising water undermined two bridges on the Parks Highway, and the road could be closed for two days, officials said. Traffic between Anchorage and Fairbanks was diverted, adding about 75 miles to the 362-mile trip.

The Alaska Railroad suspended all freight and passenger traffic between Talkeetna and Denali National Park. The rail lines run roughly parallel to the Parks Highway.

The National Weather Service recorded nearly 7 inches of rain at Talkeetna, about 100 miles north of Anchorage, including 3.7 inches Friday.