News Summary
Juneau narrowly avoided disaster as flood barriers successfully protected the city from record-breaking glacial outburst floods originating from Suicide Basin. With water from the Mendenhall Glacier surging, the river reached an unprecedented height. Thanks to extensive preventive measures, including nearly 37,800 feet of flood barriers, the community remained safe. Local authorities are conducting damage assessments while residents are thankful for the preparations that prevented a catastrophic situation.
Flood Barriers Save Juneau from Record-Breaking Glacial Outburst Floods for Third Consecutive Year
In a dramatic turn of events that has become all too familiar, Juneau faced yet another potential disaster this week as water from Suicide Basin surged into the surrounding areas. However, thanks to the feet of flood barriers installed by city officials, Juneau was able to dodge what could have been a catastrophic situation.
The Outburst Phenomenon
On Tuesday, water began gushing out of Suicide Basin, a glacial lake that forms from the melting ice of the nearby Mendenhall Glacier. This lake has been known to swell up with rain, snow, and meltwater during warmer months. When the water reaches a critical level, it breaks free from its icy confines, creating a deluge that flows down into Mendenhall Lake and ultimately into the Mendenhall River. This year, the stakes were higher than ever, as record water levels began pushing towards the city.
Record River Levels
By Wednesday morning, the Mendenhall River reached a staggering height of 16.65 feet, shattering the previous flood record of 15.99 feet set just a few months ago in August 2023. Fortunately, after this peak, river levels began to drop rapidly, falling to 10 feet in the afternoon. Minor flooding continued into the evening, but a return to normal river levels was anticipated by Thursday.
Community Safety Efforts
This year’s outburst has been deemed “unprecedented” by city officials. They noted that the river levels exceeded last year’s flood figures by an entire foot. When flooding hit in 2022, over 100 homes were damaged, prompting city leaders to take significant preventive actions this time around. The operators deployed nearly 37,800 feet of HESCO barriers—modular sand-filled bags—along with over 100,000 sandbags across critical areas.
A Close Call
Despite water seeping through some barriers, none were breached by Wednesday morning, rendering these protective structures highly effective. No rescue incidents or serious safety issues were reported as residents and local authorities remained alert and vigilant.
Government Response
In a proactive move, Alaska’s governor also stepped in, issuing a preemptive disaster declaration to streamline emergency response efforts. The population of Juneau, approximately 33,000, relies on these significant measures to protect their homes and businesses from the always looming specter of nature’s unpredictability.
The Bigger Picture
Glacial outburst floods, though alarming, have been becoming a routine occurrence since 2011 and are tied to the ongoing effects of climate change. As glaciers continue to retreat due to rising temperatures, communities across the globe find themselves increasingly at risk. Studies suggest that 10 to 15 million people worldwide could face similar threats from such outburst floods.
Looking Ahead
As the local authorities conduct ongoing damage assessments from the recent flooding, residents remain hopeful for the future. With cities like Juneau employing strategic measures to counteract the effects of climate change and protect vulnerable areas, there’s a strong sense of community resilience. Only time will tell what other challenges await, but for now, Juneau can take a deep breath and feel grateful for its flood barriers and the preparation that has kept its community safe.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- CNN
- Wikipedia: Glacial lake outburst flood
- The Guardian
- Google Search: Juneau Alaska glacier flood
- New York Times
- Google Scholar: Juneau Alaska flood
- Washington Post
- BBC News
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
