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Juneau Snow Melts: Flood and Avalanche Fears Rise
10 Jan
Summary
- Juneau faces flood threat as record snow begins to melt.
- Extreme snowfall buried the capital with nearly 7 feet of snow.
- An evacuation advisory is in effect due to avalanche risk.
The City and Borough of Juneau has issued an evacuation advisory due to severe avalanche and flood risks stemming from extreme snowfall. Last month, Juneau received nearly 7 feet of snow, an amount typically seen over an entire winter. This record accumulation has led to infrastructure damage, including sunken boats and collapsed roofs.
As warmer temperatures and several inches of rain are anticipated this weekend, the vast snowpack is expected to melt rapidly. This melt, combined with anticipated rainfall, significantly increases the likelihood of avalanches in known slide paths. Consequently, residents in affected areas are strongly advised to evacuate.
The National Weather Service reported that an atmospheric river is expected to bring rain and snow to the region starting late Thursday night and lasting through early Saturday. Precipitation will transition from snow to rain in many low-lying areas, with concerns about blocked storm drains exacerbating ponding from snowmelt.
