Record Flooding Peaks in Juneau as Mendenhall Glacier Outburst Intensifies
Record Flooding Peaks in Juneau as Mendenhall Glacier Outburst Intensifies
Juneau, Alaska is currently grappling with what officials confirm is a record-breaking glacial lake outburst flood. The Mendenhall Glacier’s Suicide Basin has released a surge of water, with flooding expected to peak this morning, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, along the Mendenhall River.
Evacuation warnings were critically escalated yesterday, Tuesday, August 12, as authorities urged residents in vulnerable areas to evacuate immediately. Water began breaching the ice dam on Tuesday morning, leading to a rapid and severe rise in water levels. The National Weather Service anticipates this year’s crest to set a new record, surpassing previous highs.
This annual phenomenon, exacerbated by a warming climate, sees the Suicide Basin fill with snowmelt and rainwater before the pressure forces water under or around the Mendenhall Glacier’s ice dam. Despite the installation of temporary barriers intended to protect hundreds of homes this year, the community remains on high alert, recalling the significant damage inflicted on nearly 300 residences during last year’s flood event.
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