Mendenhall Glacier Causes Flooding in Juneau, Alaska
Mendenhall Glacier's ice dam overflow leads to significant flooding in Juneau, prompting evacuation orders as experts predict record flood levels.
Why Glacial Lake Outbursts like the One in Alaska May Happen More Often
Scientific American
Overview
- Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska is experiencing an overflowing ice dam, resulting in flooding in Juneau.
- Experts warn of a potential record-breaking flood event, leading to evacuation orders for residents.
- The National Weather Service forecasts the Mendenhall River to crest over 16 feet at 8 A.M. local time on Wednesday.
- City and borough officials are actively urging residents in affected areas to evacuate for safety.
- The situation is evolving, with adjustments being made to the flooding forecast as conditions change.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the Alaska flood with a neutral, factual approach, focusing on the immediate event, historical context, and official responses. They avoid loaded language and present information directly from experts and authorities, emphasizing preparedness and the natural disaster's impact without editorializing or assigning blame.
"The Mendenhall Glacier north of Juneau acts as an ice dam for the meltwater that fills the basin, named Suicide Basin, but fails each summer amid higher temperatures."
USA TODAY"Emergency barriers built to protect Mendenhall Valley and Juneau, a city of about 32,000 people in the Alaskan panhandle, were successful, USA TODAY reported."
USA TODAY"The risk from summer glacial flooding is on the rise as climate change increases temperatures, causing more ice melt."
USA TODAY"The flood doesn’t come as a surprise."
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FAQ
The flooding was caused by an overflow of an ice dam at Suicide Basin formed by the Mendenhall Glacier, which released water leading to a glacial outburst flood.
The Mendenhall River crested at about 16.65 feet, exceeding the previous record flood stage of 15.99 feet from 2024, with flooding levels expected to peak around 8 a.m. local time on Wednesday.
Authorities have issued evacuation orders for residents in the flood inundation zones, established a Red Cross shelter at Floyd Dryden Gymnasium, and closed several facilities and roads, including the Mendenhall Loop Road and Back Loop Bridge, for safety inspections.
Flooding from the basin near Mendenhall Glacier has been a recurring concern since 2011, with previous events causing damage including sweeping away houses and flooding hundreds of homes.
The Governor issued a disaster declaration, the State Emergency Operations Center was activated to support local efforts including emergency permitting and public messaging, and residents were urged to stay informed and prepared through official sites.
History
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