Unprecedented Glacial Flooding Sweeps Through Alaska’s Capital City
Over the weekend, Juneau, Alaska, experienced unprecedented glacial flooding that resulted in the destruction of two homes and significant damage to others. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported, but the floodwaters did cause “significant undermining” to a condominium building, according to Juneau Deputy City Manager Robert Barr. The flooding is directly linked to a specific glacial phenomenon that poses a new threat to the community.
The water surrounding the 3,000-year-old Mendenhall Glacier, a popular tourist attraction, is now posing a threat to the city itself. Since 2011, flooding from the glacier has occurred every summer, but this year’s overflow broke previous water level records by nearly three feet. National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew Park described the situation as “pretty devastating for the community.”
The phenomenon responsible for this flooding is still being studied by scientists. Violent flooding from the basin above the glacier began in 2011, even on a day when there had been no rainfall. Further investigation revealed that the basin above the Mendenhall Glacier generates enough pressure to push water through the glacier and into Mendenhall Lake. This annual release of water from the basin has been monitored since 2011, but this year’s flooding event was historic, surpassing the previous record set in July 2016.
Although it is unclear whether climate change is to blame for this phenomenon, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events worldwide is widely attributed to human-influenced climate change. Communities around the world are being forced to adjust to these new normal conditions caused by extreme weather.
The extent of the flooding in Juneau is not yet fully known, but Barr revealed that dozens of homes were affected. Additionally, some homes that rely on oil had their fuel tanks swept away by the floodwaters. The city has reached out to the Coast Guard and state environmental agencies for assistance in case of a spill.
In response to the flooding, city officials declared a local state of emergency. Crews are working to secure roads and bridges affected by the flooding. Unfortunately, the severity of the flooding is expected to occur annually, leaving residents, scientists, and city leaders in a constant state of uncertainty.
“There’s not much we can do from a prevention point of view,” Barr lamented.
As the city of Juneau begins to recover from this devastating flooding event, authorities will undoubtedly continue to monitor and study this glacier-related phenomenon to better understand its impact and potential for future disasters.