The City and Borough of Juneau issued a notice for increased avalanche danger on Thane Road Tuesday after the National Weather Service issued an additional flood advisory for creeks and streams in the Juneau area lasting until 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Heavy rainfall in Juneau Tuesday was caused by a slow-moving atmospheric river, said National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Bezenek. By Tuesday evening the Juneau area had received three to four inches of rain since it began raining around midnight, Bezenek said, and the area could expect another one to two inches through the night.
Downtown Juneau received more than three inches Tuesday afternoon, Bezenek said, and the NWS office on Mendenhall Loop Road had received more than four inches.
NWS issued a flood advisory on Monday as well, and Tuesday afternoon , it reported moderate flooding in the Jordan Creek area. In its updated flood advisory, NWS said small creeks and streams are expected to by full by morning.
“Expect ponding of water on roadways and in poor drainage areas,” NWS’ flood advisory said. “Mudslides are possible in areas of steep terrain.”
A flood advisory means river or stream flows are elevated, or ponding of water in urban or other areas is occurring or is imminent, according to the NWS website. The advisory lasts until 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Storm drains should be kept clear of debris, the advisory said, and in its notice, the city asked residents to obey posted warnings and not stop or park in the avalanche danger zone. If access along Thane Road is blocked, it is unlikely city services will be able to safely remove the avalanche debris until the hazard decreases naturally, according to the city.
Water was running fast in Gold Creek at Cope Park on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020 following heavy overnight rain. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
• Contact reporter Peter Segall at psegall@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @SegallJnuEmpire.
