A massive glacial lake outburst flood in Juneau, Alaska, crested at 14.7 feet on Thursday afternoon, falling short of earlier NWS forecasts. While the Mendenhall River remains a concern, water levels are currently receding at roughly one foot per hour.
The 14.7-foot crest beats the 16.3-foot peak prediction
The National Weather Service in Juneau initially forecasted that the flood would peak between 15.8 and 16.3 feet. However, as reported by the Joint Information Center, the water actuallly crested at 14.7 feet at approximately 2:15 p.m. This lower peak has provided a sense of relief to residents in the Mendenhall Valley who were bracing for more significant damage.
For residents like Sam Hatch on Meander Way, the lower crest is particularly significant. Meander Way has historically suffered from disastrous flooding, including an incident last year where water breached HESCO flood walls to inundate garages and crawl spaces. While the water is now falling, officials note that the river will recede more slowly than it rose, meaning the flood warning will likely remain in effect until later this evening.
An Alaska Seaplanes emergency landing at the Mendenhall River mouth
The flooding event was complicated by an aviation incident involving an Alaska Seaplanes de Havilland Beaver. According to coompany personnel, the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing at the mouth of the Mendenhall River at approximately 11:17 a.m. on Thursday.
The plane had taken off from the floatplane pond at Juneau International Airport just before the incident. Fortunately, the pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft and was accounted for by Alaska Seaplanes personnel by 12:39 p.m . The company is currently coordinating efforts to recover the plane from the river waters.
Red Cross and Salvation Army support for Mendenhall Valley evacuees
Emergency response efforts included managing displaced residents from the Mendenhall Campground and surrounding areas. The American Red Cross hosted 15 residents overnight at an emergency shelter located at the former Floyd Dryden Middle School.
Local community organizations also stepped in to assist with the humanitarian response. The Salvation Army provided meals to those displaced, while Grateful Dogs of Juneau managed a pet shelter that housed two dogs and one cat. Some evacuees opted to camp in tents outside the shelter as they waited for the Mendenhall River to stabilize.
Uncertainty around the 'dry side' of Juneau's flood barriers
Despite the lower crest , the City of Juneau (CBJ) has received concerning reports from residents regarding the integrity of local flood defenses. Some citizens have reported seeing small amounts of water appearing on the "dry side" of the established flood barrier system.
The city has urged anyone observing water in unexpected areas to immediately contact the Flood Hotline at 907-500-0890 to alert emergency response teams.. While many city facilities are set to reopen tomorrow, the Mendenhall Valley Public Library remains closed, and while Brotherhood Bridge is open to pedestrians, the walkways beneath the structure are currently inaccessible.
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