This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Governor Mike Dunleavy has declared a state disaster ahead of the atmospheric river forecast to hit Juneau on Friday. City and tribal officials issued a local disaster declaration late yesterday, submitting a formal request to receive state funding to manage the effects of the storm, including increasing avalanche risk.
The City and Borough of Juneau and the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska released a joint statement Wednesday morning, confirming their local disaster declaration and the governor’s verbal state declaration.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Friday morning through Saturday for Juneau and much of the Southeast. The NWS’ hydrologic outlook forecasts between one to four inches of rain from Thursday night to Friday night.
CBJ released an avalanche advisory on Jan. 5, warning of increased risk on all known slide paths on Mount Juneau. The risk is expected to increase significantly before the weekend, with rain, snow, wind and warmer temperatures ahead.
The declarations come as Juneau continues to manage over four feet of snow from the storm that blew in late December.
Heavy rainfall overtop deep snow will only increase the already-burdensome snowpack. Clearing ice and snow is essential before the atmospheric river and arrives, the city and tribes’ statement said, and local resources are not enough to keep public facilities safe.
“This joint disaster declaration reflects the seriousness of what our community is facing and the responsibility we share to protect our people and critical infrastructure,” said Tlingit & Haida President Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson.
The State Emergency Operations Center has already begun mobilizing resources, according to CBJ and Tlingit and Haida.
Those state resources will address infrastructure issues that have arisen across town, including roof snow loads, clearing snow to increase drainage and regain access to fire hydrants. They will also provide monitoring and operation support for avalanche and landslide risk.
The Assembly will vote on ratifying the emergency declaration at a special meeting today at 5:15 p.m.
In the meantime, CBJ and Tlingit and Haida recommend five key ways to stay informed:
1. Sign up for emergency alerts at bit.ly/CBJAlerts
2. Monitor the CBJ Avalanche Advisory webpage at bit.ly/CBJavalanche
3. View road closures at 511.Alaska.gov
4. Stay tuned to the National Weather Service Juneau page at www.weather.gov/ajk
5 Review the interactive Avalanche Risk maps available at bit.ly/4pjkGBA
5. Follow partner agencies on social media
