Homes along the Mendenhall River in Juneau, Alaska, have collapsed due to severe flooding caused by a glacier lake outburst flood. The flooding is a result of a break on the Mendenhall Glacier, specifically in Suicide Basin, a side basin located about 12 miles north of Juneau. A glacial lake outburst flood occurs when a dam containing a glacial lake breaks, leading to a rapid release of water.
According to the National Weather Service, several structures along the Mendenhall River have been destroyed, and the river is now filled with trees and debris. Disturbing video footage captured by resident Sam Nolan shows a multi-story home collapsing into the river as it succumbs to the floodwaters. Nolan expressed sadness at the sight but could only watch helplessly.
Residents have also shared videos showing debris and trees floating in the Mendenhall River near Juneau International Airport. The flooding has caused the Mendenhall Lake level to reach a record high of 14.97 feet, surpassing the previous record set in July 2016 at 11.99 feet. Areas that have not experienced flooding before are now reporting significant flooding, and erosion along the riverbanks has been substantial.
The National Weather Service reports that the water level is gradually receding at a rate of 0.7 feet per hour, but the flooding is still ongoing. As a result, several roads and bridges in the region have been closed, causing disruptions in transportation. The city of Juneau’s emergency operations have urged residents to stay away from the river for their safety during the flood event.
Suicide Basin has been releasing glacier lake outburst floods since 2011, causing inundation along Mendenhall Lake and Mendenhall River. This recurring phenomenon highlights the increasing risk of flooding from melted glaciers as the climate continues to warm. A study published in Nature Climate Change in 2021 found that the melting of glaciers contributes to a higher likelihood of flooding events.
The devastating impact of the flooding in Juneau serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its consequences. As communities continue to grapple with the effects of a warming planet, it is crucial to prioritize efforts to mitigate and adapt to these environmental challenges.
ABC News’ Helena Skinner and Samira Said contributed to this report.
How are the residents of Juneau being affected by the flooding and what measures are being taken to ensure their safety
Homes along the Mendenhall River in Juneau, Alaska, face a heartbreaking fate as they crumble under the force of severe flooding caused by a glacial meltdown. The culprit behind this natural disaster is a rupture in the Mendenhall Glacier, specifically in the ominous Suicide Basin, located approximately 12 miles north of Juneau.
The once tranquil Mendenhall River has transformed into a chaotic torrent of trees and debris, devouring several structures in its path, as captured in gut-wrenching video footage by resident Sam Nolan. A multi-story home helplessly succumbs to the merciless floodwaters, leaving Nolan and others with a profound sense of sadness and powerlessness.
Disturbing videos shared by residents near Juneau International Airport depict a surreal scene of floating debris and uprooted trees in the Mendenhall River. The deluge from the glacier has pushed the water levels in Mendenhall Lake to an unprecedented high of 14.97 feet, shattering the previous record set in July 2016 at 11.99 feet. Even areas historically immune to such flooding are now grappling with significant inundation and widespread erosion along the riverbanks.
Though the water level is gradually receding at a pace of 0.7 feet per hour, the flooding still persists, resulting in the closure of several roads and bridges in the vicinity, severely disrupting transportation. In light of this ongoing crisis, the emergency operations of Juneau’s city council have issued a firm plea to residents, urging them to steer clear of the river for their own safety.
These recurring occurrences of glacial lake outburst floods from Suicide Basin have plagued Mendenhall Lake and Mendenhall River since 2011, an unsettling testament to the mounting risks of flooding as our climate continues to warm. A recent study published in Nature Climate Change highlighted the direct correlation between melting glaciers and an increased likelihood of devastating flooding events.
The profound impact of this catastrophic flooding in Juneau serves as an alarming wake-up call, underscoring the urgent need to confront the ever-looming shadow of climate change and its far-reaching consequences. As communities grapple with the relentless effects of a warming planet, it is imperative that we prioritize efforts to mitigate and adapt to these environmental challenges.
Report contributed by ABC News’ Helena Skinner and Samira Said.
