CBJ recommends residents in Behrends Ave. avalanche path to evacuate; evacuation center at Centennial Hall opens at 8 p.m. tonight

Juneau’s Urban Avalanche Advisory will transition from High to Extreme tonight as avalanche danger continues to increase over the next 24-36 hours. Due to the potential for historic avalanches should the Behrends Avenue Avalanche path release at full width at the depth of snow instabilities, the City and Borough of Juneau Emergency Management is recommending residents in the Behrends Avenue path to evacuate. As the storm continues and transitions to rain today, danger levels will increase.

CBJ and the American Red Cross of Alaska is opening an evacuation center at Centennial Hall tonight, February 27, for those living in avalanche zones. It will be open from 8 p.m. tonight into tomorrow morning. COVID-19 mitigation measures will be in place at Centennial Hall. By mid-day tomorrow, danger levels should start to subside, though CBJ will continue to monitor the situation closely and share information as necessary. The Urban Avalanche Advisory is updated daily.

The Behrends Avenue avalanche path is the neighborhood directly above the Breakwater Inn, a horseshoe area of houses between Glacier Highway, Behrends Avenue, and Ross Way; adjacent to Highland Drive. While the other urban avalanche paths also hold danger, the depth of snow in the upper Behrends path is particularly concerning. To see where the Urban Avalanche Zones in the community are, go here and click on the “Avalanche Path Maps” tab.

Please avoid the Flume Trail and limit time spent in other avalanche paths. For the next 24-48 hours, natural avalanches of great size are likely. While CBJ, with the help of partner agencies, monitors potential natural emergencies, it is up to individuals and families to be aware of the hazards that exist nearby and be properly prepared for any risk to safety or damage those hazards may cause.

For a more detailed description of the avalanche danger, read today’s Urban Avalanche Advisory.

For more information, contact Emergency Program Manager Tom Mattice at 209-9207 or [email protected].