The Alaska capital, Juneau, is bracing for a potentially record-breaking flood due to runoff from the Mendenhall Glacier. Local residents, particularly those in flood-prone areas, have been advised to evacuate following warnings about rising water levels. The National Weather Service expects peak flooding to occur Wednesday morning, potentially surpassing previous records.
Flooding has been a recurring issue since 2011, with significant damage to homes in recent years. A small glacier’s retreat has created a basin, known as the suicide basin, which collects rainwater and thaw runoff. When pressure builds, water escapes under an ice dam, entering Mendenhall Lake and eventually flowing into the Mendenhall River.
Officials have established temporary barriers to protect affected homes, as nearly 300 residences were damaged last year alone. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is studying long-term solutions to mitigate flooding, but delays frustrate local residents. Experts warn that flooding will persist as long as the glacier remains an ice dam.
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