Juneau partners with tribal, state and federal agencies to prepare for glacial flood
Officials expand flood barriers and evacuation planning ahead of expected early August outburst
Officials in Juneau are preparing for an annual glacial outburst flood expected in early August, according to reporting from the Alaska Beacon. The City and Borough of Juneau is partnering with the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, along with state and federal agencies, to monitor Suicide Basin, an ice-dammed lake that fills with glacial melt before releasing floodwaters into the Mendenhall River. Officials estimate the basin will reach capacity between Aug. 1 and Aug. 9.
Crews with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City and Borough of Juneau have strengthened flood barriers to withstand a flood about 30% larger than last year's event and are installing pumps to reduce seepage, according to the Alaska Beacon reporting. Officials have expanded this year's voluntary evacuation advisory to about 1,900 residences, businesses, schools and transportation corridors. Public preparedness events will continue throughout July, and officials said wireless emergency alerts will be issued if flooding begins.
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