BREAKING: Juneau Faces Record Glacier Flood Surge, Evacuations Underway

Juneau, Alaska, is currently experiencing and bracing for a record-breaking surge of floodwaters as the Mendenhall Glacier undergoes a significant outburst. Officials confirmed on Tuesday that water had begun escaping the ice dam, with flooding expected to peak late Wednesday afternoon, August 13th, prompting urgent evacuation advisories for residents in vulnerable areas.

The Mendenhall River, fed by Mendenhall Lake, is the primary conduit for the rapidly rising water, placing homes nearest to its banks at extreme risk. The National Weather Service projects this year’s crest to reach between 16.3 and 16.8 feet, a new historical high surpassing the previous records set in August 2023 and 2024.

While temporary Hesco barriers, giant sandbags spanning 2.5 miles of riverbank, have been installed to protect hundreds of properties, concerns persist among some residents about the effectiveness of these defenses against the unprecedented water levels. Many, like Sam Hatch, a Coast Guard vessel safety regulator, have moved their children to safety but are staying behind to secure valuables.

This annual glacial lake outburst event, exacerbated by a warming climate impacting a smaller glacier near Mendenhall, has become a severe challenge for Juneau, with past years seeing widespread property damage. The current outburst is estimated to release an astonishing 15 billion gallons of water, underscoring the immediate and immense threat facing the community today.

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