In Juneau, Alaska, residents were grappling with unprecedented flooding this week after a lake dammed by the Mendenhall Glacier gave way, marking the worst deluge in the city’s history.
The breach, caused by the retreat of a smaller glacier, led to a dramatic rise in floodwaters that surged through the city, affecting at least 100 homes and numerous businesses.
On Tuesday, the Mendenhall River crested at a record 15.99 feet, surpassing the previous year’s levels by over a foot.
The floodwaters, reaching chest-high in some areas, left cars floating and homes inundated, as residents scrambled to evacuate. By Wednesday, as the waters began to recede, the cleanup began.
Residents, like Alyssa Fischer, found themselves drying out belongings and assessing damage, with some homes losing critical infrastructure like insulation and carpeting.
Residents evacuate as unprecedented flooding hits Juneau; cleanup begins after glacier dam failure.The root of the flooding lies in a glacier retreat, a casualty of the warming climate. The retreating glacier left behind a basin that fills with rainwater and snowmelt each summer.
Once the water pressure becomes overwhelming, it forces its way under or around the Mendenhall Glacier’s ice dam, sending a torrent of water into Mendenhall Lake and then to the Mendenhall River.
This glacial flooding, though not directly caused by climate change, serves as a stark reminder of the global risks associated with melting glaciers. Known as a jökulhlaup, these events are rare but dangerous, threatening millions of people worldwide.
Juneau, a city of about 30,000 people accessible only by plane or boat, is already facing a housing shortage that complicates the response to the disaster. Limited rental cars and temporary accommodations are adding to the challenges faced by flood victims.
The city’s response has been swift. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a disaster to support recovery efforts, and emergency shelters were set up to accommodate those displaced. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, but the event has left residents, like Fischer, concerned about future occurrences.
The Mendenhall Glacier’s flood is a poignant reminder of nature’s power and the pressing need for communities to prepare for and adapt to changing environmental conditions. As Juneau cleans up and rebuilds, the impact of this rare but devastating event will continue to resonate with its residents.