Residents prepare for possible flooding as water levels rise dangerously in the Mendenhall River due to glacier outburst.
Evacuations in Juneau, Alaska as Glacial Melting Sparks Flooding Fears
Evacuations in Juneau, Alaska as Glacial Melting Sparks Flooding Fears
Alaskan authorities issue evacuation orders amid rapid glacial melt threatening record floods in Juneau.
Officials in Juneau, Alaska, are urging residents to evacuate as a glacial meltwater crisis unfolds. Meltwater from Mendenhall Glacier is escaping a dammed basin, raising concerns over potentially record-breaking flooding in the state's capital. The National Weather Service (NWS) has placed the area under flood warning, noting that the outburst is flowing into the Mendenhall River and putting homes at significant risk. Following several days of heightened alert, authorities confirmed that water is now breaching the ice dam, with flooding anticipated shortly thereafter. The Mendenhall Glacier, a revered tourist destination, is located approximately 12 miles (19 kilometers) from Juneau.
Initially, water levels at the river reached 9.85 feet (3 meters) on Tuesday, under the critical level of 14 feet, which indicates major flooding. However, by Wednesday morning, levels surged to over 16 feet, surpassing the crest threshold. Meteorologist Nicole Ferrin from the weather service stated, "This will be a new record, based on all of the information that we have," as she addressed the media during an update.
According to city officials, glacial lake outburst floods occur when a buildup of melting snow and ice, combined with rain, rapidly drains, similar to unplugging a bathtub filled to the brim. If meltwater accumulates beyond a certain point, it can flow over a glacier that has been holding it back.
In response to the looming threat of catastrophic flooding from this glacier lake outburst, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a state of disaster on Sunday. Flooding has been a critical concern in Juneau since 2011, with significant damage to properties from deluges experienced in past years, including last year when hundreds of homes were impacted.
Initially, water levels at the river reached 9.85 feet (3 meters) on Tuesday, under the critical level of 14 feet, which indicates major flooding. However, by Wednesday morning, levels surged to over 16 feet, surpassing the crest threshold. Meteorologist Nicole Ferrin from the weather service stated, "This will be a new record, based on all of the information that we have," as she addressed the media during an update.
According to city officials, glacial lake outburst floods occur when a buildup of melting snow and ice, combined with rain, rapidly drains, similar to unplugging a bathtub filled to the brim. If meltwater accumulates beyond a certain point, it can flow over a glacier that has been holding it back.
In response to the looming threat of catastrophic flooding from this glacier lake outburst, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a state of disaster on Sunday. Flooding has been a critical concern in Juneau since 2011, with significant damage to properties from deluges experienced in past years, including last year when hundreds of homes were impacted.
