Suicide Basin is nearing levels seen before past outburst floods. If it released today, flooding on View Drive could reach homes and make roads impassable. No alert is being issued yet, but conditions are being closely monitored.
Know where you’ll go – Plan evacuation routes, sheltering and parking (see below), and coordinate with neighbors.
Protect your property – Move valuables to higher ground and use sandbags or water barriers if needed. Elevate, secure or safely dispose of household hazardous materials and use your main breaker to shut off power.
Emergency Shelter
Floyd Dryden Gymnasium (3800 Mendenhall Loop Rd) has been identified as the emergency evacuation shelter location in the event of a flood warning and evacuation notice.
The American Red Cross will operate the shelter. Check out these tips for how to prepare for an emergency in the video below
Capital Transit will assist with the transportation of evacuees from Riverview Senior Living and Trillium Landing to Red Cross Shelters as well as overflow shuttling from Floyd Dryden to contingency shelter locations if the primary shelter capacity is exceeded.
Evacuating with Pets
While the Red Cross is not able to accommodate pets at the Floyd Dryden Shelter, Juneau Animal Rescue (JAR) offers emergency sheltering for pets through their Safe-Keeping Program (PDF).
JAR and KTOO have created resources to help pet owners prepare for emergencies and evacuation. Click the button below to watch the video or download JAR’s Emergency Pet Planning brochure.
Residents in the flood inundation area that (are not sheltering at Floyd Dryden) are invited to move vehicles (cars, ATVs, etc.) to the following parking lots once the Basin is full and evacuation preparedness alert is sent out:
St. Brendan’s Episcopal Church
4207 Mendenhall Loop Road
Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
8198 Keegan Street
Christ Lutheran Church
10300 Glacier Hwy
Juneau Christian Center
8001 Glacier Hwy
Please register your vehicles early using the form below.
Remember: when waters start to rise, stay away from the river and flooded areas for the safety of yourself and others
Alerts: What to Expect
Residents can expect to receive important notifications about the status of a flood emergency at several points:
National Weather Service determines the Basin is full:
CBJ and our partners will issue notification to complete preparations via SMS text (push notification, no opt-in requirement). Alerts will also go out via email, social media, website and printed door hangars.
Historically, there has been 1-6 days between when the Basin reaches full capacity and its release. However, it is possible for the Basin to release before it reaches full capacity.
Basin begins to release:
A FLOOD WARNING will be issued by the National Weather Service.
CBJ, Tlingit & Haida and partner agencies will push out evacuation advisories through all available channels.
First responders will provide in-person evacuation notice in neighborhoods in the potential flood inundation area.
It is possible for the Basin to release before it reaches full capacity. In that case, this would be the first alert distribution.
Water recedes, area deemed safe to return:
CBJ and our partners will issue an “All Clear” notification via SMS text, email and social media.
Availability of response and recovery services will be share via CBJ & partner agency social media and website(s).
Move valuables off the floor & take action to prevent spills
During the Flood
Follow evacuation orders
Shut off electricity if it’s safe
Don’t wait — water rises quickly
Do NOT walk or drive through flood waters
After the Flood
Return home only when cleared
Watch for mold, damage, and contamination
Juneau Glacial Flood Dashboard
The Juneau Glacial Flood Dashboard (JuneauFlood.com) is a comprehensive resource about glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) from Suicide Basin. Created and maintained by the University of Alaska Southeast in partnership with the Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center, the page provides an interactive view of the flood inundation maps, information about flood forecasting, history of past outburst flood events, and an of understanding of how outburst floods originate from Suicide Basin, including how they form, what triggers them, and how they can impact the Juneau area.
Flood Mitigation
HESCO Barrier Project
CBJ completed the installation of HESCO Flood barriers as a near-term solution to mitigate potential widespread damage from future GLOF events.
CBJ and Tlingit & Haida are partnering to host an additional sandbag distribution event to help residents prepare for potential flooding along the Mendenhall River.
Where: Dimond Park Field House (Parking area)
When: Saturday, July 26 – 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Long-Term Solution
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting Mendenhall Glacial Lake Outburst Flooding Technical Study in support of a long-term mitigation solution.
