Some Alaskas are evacuating their homes as Meltwater escapes the basin blocked by Mendenhall Glacier – increasing concerns about damage to floods in the U.S. capital.
Juneau’s National Weather Service (NWS) office issued a flood warning, and a glacier outbreak flowed into the Mundenhall River, putting homes in the area at risk.
For several days, local officials have warned residents that they may be forced to evacuate. On Tuesday, they confirmed that the water had escaped the ice dam and was expected to flood in the next few days.
Glacier is a popular tourist destination, 12 miles (19 km) from Juneau.
The water level reached 9.85 feet (3m) on Tuesday, below major flood levels, from 14 feet high, the NWS said. But by Wednesday morning, they were over 16 feet, which was considered a crest.
“This will be a new record based on all the information we have,” Meteorological Service meteorologist Nicole Ferrin said in a press conference Tuesday.
The city of Juno website explains that when glacial lake erupts, snow and rain melt quickly. It compares the process of unplugging the plug from the full bathtub. When the melting level reaches a certain level, they can surpass the glaciers that previously retreated them.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a national disaster declaration Sunday because of “the threat of catastrophic flooding from GLOFs in the Juno area”.
Flooding has been an annual focus in the area since 2011 as houses have been damaged and swept by deluges. Last year, hundreds of homes were damaged.
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