Some residents of Juneau, Alaska, are hastily evacuating as fears of major flooding grow due to melting glaciers. The Mendenhall Glacier, known for its stunning views, is now at the heart of a potential disaster as meltwater from its basin has begun trickling into the Mendenhall River. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Juneau has declared a flood warning, with officials urging locals to prepare for possible evacuations.
On Tuesday, alarming news came in; meltwater started escaping the icy dam surrounding it, prompting forecasters to predict significant flooding in the coming days. Although water levels were at 9.85ft (3m) initially, sources say they drastically rose to over 16ft by Wednesday morning, exceeding the crest and smashing existing records.
"Based on the data we have, we're now looking at unprecedented levels," Nicole Ferrin, a meteorologist with the NWS, said during a press briefing. A flood event of this magnitude is serious, highlighting the threat posed by glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF).
Alaska’s Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a state of disaster on Sunday. Since 2011, flooding has become an annual nightmare for residents, with many homes destroyed in past events. The ongoing effects of climate change are contributing to these unusual flooding patterns, as temperatures cause glaciers worldwide to melt rapidly, creating more glacial lakes that can break their natural dams abruptly. Scientists warn this phenomenon may lead to more frequent outburst floods in the future.
On Tuesday, alarming news came in; meltwater started escaping the icy dam surrounding it, prompting forecasters to predict significant flooding in the coming days. Although water levels were at 9.85ft (3m) initially, sources say they drastically rose to over 16ft by Wednesday morning, exceeding the crest and smashing existing records.
"Based on the data we have, we're now looking at unprecedented levels," Nicole Ferrin, a meteorologist with the NWS, said during a press briefing. A flood event of this magnitude is serious, highlighting the threat posed by glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF).
Alaska’s Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a state of disaster on Sunday. Since 2011, flooding has become an annual nightmare for residents, with many homes destroyed in past events. The ongoing effects of climate change are contributing to these unusual flooding patterns, as temperatures cause glaciers worldwide to melt rapidly, creating more glacial lakes that can break their natural dams abruptly. Scientists warn this phenomenon may lead to more frequent outburst floods in the future.
