Mendenhall River flooding update (8/6 2 PM)

At a special Assembly meeting today, August 6, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly declared a local emergency following the Mendenhall River glacial outburst flood and formally requested state and federal assistance. Shortly afterwards, Governor Dunleavy declared a state emergency.

The glacial outburst flood, which took place on August 5 and 6 due to a major release from Suicide Basin, resulted in peak water levels of 15.99 feet at 3 a.m. on August 6. This exceeded the level of the August 2023 outburst (14.97 feet) by over a foot.

Damage was widespread. Over 100 homes are estimated to have been affected by floodwaters. No casualties or injuries were reported.

CBJ opened an emergency shelter in the former Floyd Dryden Middle School building at 8 p.m. on Monday, August 5. Residents began arriving at approximately 1 a.m. and a total of 43 people took shelter at Floyd Dryden over the night. An additional 24 campers displaced from Mendenhall Campground camped on the property.

CBJ would like to thank local Red Cross volunteers for their support in operating the shelter and numerous community businesses for their generous donations of food and supplies.

CBJ would also like to recognize the tireless work of Capital City Fire/Rescue, Juneau Police Department, and CBJ Streets in assisting with evacuations through the night.

Additional information about damage assessments, debris clean-up, and other important information for those who have been affected by the flood will follow shortly.

For questions and reports, please contact [email protected].