The National Weather Service has issued a Mendenhall River flood warning due to the anticipated glacial dam outburst flooding. City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) authorities have warned residents since Friday when the National Weather Service forecast 11 to 11.5-foot flood crests. This flooding could affect properties between View Drive and Meander Way, with water levels projected to peak between 1 and 7 a.m. on Monday. Juneau is still dealing with the aftermath of two years of devastating floods caused by glacial dam releases.
President Joe Biden granted disaster relief funds, providing critical resources as new flood worries surface. In response, CBJ has closed public areas such as Skater’s Cabin, Mendenhall Campground, the Brotherhood Bridge Trail, View Drive, and Dimond Park’s pedestrian footbridge. Acting CBJ Manager George Schaaf warned visitors to avoid the river due to the dangers of fast-moving, freezing water. The cool weather and recent snowfall have made riverbanks dangerous, increasing the risk of hypothermia and accidents.
City authorities remain confident that the flooding will stay within projected levels because the storm will evacuate Suicide Basin. In light of the rising occurrence of floods in the region, the city is collaborating with state and federal agencies to address potential future risks. Among the agencies involved are the United States Forest Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, and the state of Alaska. To prepare for possible future floods, the Army Corps of Engineers has provided tens of thousands of sandbags to residents and businesses in Juneau.
According to Schaaf, the city is actively working on short-term and long-term plans to protect the community. Authorities are actively seeking ways to protect property and infrastructure against floods despite the Mendenhall River flood warning and the tremendous damage they cause.
This news story was originally published by Alaska’s News Source.
