Amidst alarming water levels and impending flooding from glacial lake outbursts near Juneau, Alaska, residents are urged to evacuate as officials declare a state of disaster to mitigate risks.
Alaskan Communities on Alert as Glacial Melting Sparks Evacuations
Alaskan Communities on Alert as Glacial Melting Sparks Evacuations
Evacuations begin in Juneau as fears of unprecedented flooding grow due to glacial meltwater escaping the Mendenhall Glacier.
As glacial meltwater escapes from a dammed basin caused by the Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska residents find themselves on high alert for possible record-breaking flooding. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Juneau has issued urgent flood warnings as the escaping glacial outburst is set to flow into the Mendenhall River, threatening the safety of local homes. In a proactive response, local officials have been advising residents about potential evacuations over the past few days, confirming on Tuesday that floodwaters were indeed beginning to break through the ice dam.
The Mendenhall Glacier, located approximately 12 miles (19 km) from Juneau, is a popular site for tourists, but it now poses a significant and immediate threat to surrounding communities. On Tuesday, water levels surged to 9.85 feet (3 meters), below the critical threshold of 14 feet that signifies major flooding. However, by Wednesday morning, levels dramatically exceeded 16 feet, which is categorized as a flood crest. “This will be a new record, based on all of the information that we have,” stated Nicole Ferrin, a meteorologist with the weather service, during a press briefing.
The Juneau city website details the phenomenon of glacial lake outbursts, which occur when a lake fed by melting ice and snow drains suddenly due to overflow, likening it to pulling a plug from an overfilled bathtub. With such meltwaters reaching critical levels, they can flood the glacial barriers that normally contain them. Due to the “imminent threat of catastrophic flooding” presented by this gushing glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a state disaster on Sunday.
Flooding is a recurring issue in this region, with significant damages reported since 2011 and hundreds of homes affected last year alone. The community braces for what may become another harrowing chapter in Alaska’s struggle against climate-induced natural disasters.
