flooding

A drone image shows widespread flooding in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Rich Ross)

FEMA visits hundreds of Juneau homes damaged by flood; decision on federal disaster aid awaits

Presence of agency “a lot larger” than last year’s flood when aid was denied, visiting official says.

 

Residents talk to city leaders and other officials about the response to this year’s record flooding from Suicide Basin during a Juneau Assembly meeting Monday night at Centennial Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Options for reducing major flooding from Suicide Basin come with lots of questions

Possibilities include drainage tunnels through a mountain and blasting to fill basin with rocks.

 

Nimmy Philips (wearing orange) leads a “Bollywood flash mob” during a celebration of India’s Independence Day on Friday at Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza. The event was hosted by downtown businesses who presented a $10,000 donation to the Juneau Community Foundation to aid people affected by record flooding of the Mendenhall River earlier this month. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

From flowery fundraising to emergency CBJ funding, longer-term flood recovery efforts underway

Foundation raises at least $150K for direct relief, Assembly to consider $1M emergency measure Monday.

 

Alaska National Guard members spend time with Tia, a certified National Crisis Response canine visiting Juneau from Anchorage to offer support at the Melvin Park volunteer disaster center on Wednesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Volunteer center at Melvin Park receives additional support, including a visit from crisis canines

New resources available through Friday, including some with wagging tails.

Alaska National Guard members spend time with Tia, a certified National Crisis Response canine visiting Juneau from Anchorage to offer support at the Melvin Park volunteer disaster center on Wednesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
A drone image shows widespread flooding in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Rich Ross)

Opinion: Juneau’s flood is a wake-up call from Mother Nature

Last week’s sudden catastrophic flooding of the Mendenhall River is one of the worst disasters in Juneau’s history. The 1917 Treadwell Mine cave-in and the… Continue reading

A drone image shows widespread flooding in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Rich Ross)
Brenna Heintz explains work being done at the Melvin Park flood recovery center to U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola on Sunday. Two disaster assistance centers are scheduled to open at other locations in Juneau from Wednesday through Friday of this week. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Two Disaster Assistance Centers for people affected by record floods open Wednesday through Friday

Updated official survey of 287 flooded homes reports 51 sustained major damage.

Brenna Heintz explains work being done at the Melvin Park flood recovery center to U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola on Sunday. Two disaster assistance centers are scheduled to open at other locations in Juneau from Wednesday through Friday of this week. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Tesla Cox (left) explains the damage done to her home and possessions by a record flood to a delegation of leaders on Sunday including (from left in foreground) Tlingit and Haida Regional Housing Authority President Jacqueline Pata, U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, Tlingit and Haida Tribal Emergency Operations Center Incident Commander Sabrina Grubitz, and Juneau state Rep. Sara Hannan. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Peltola, visiting homes where flood recovery efforts are underway, says FEMA aid request may be difficult

New estimate of nearly 300 homes damaged qualifies as a disaster, but agency’s funding limited, she says.

Tesla Cox (left) explains the damage done to her home and possessions by a record flood to a delegation of leaders on Sunday including (from left in foreground) Tlingit and Haida Regional Housing Authority President Jacqueline Pata, U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, Tlingit and Haida Tribal Emergency Operations Center Incident Commander Sabrina Grubitz, and Juneau state Rep. Sara Hannan. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
From left to right: Jeff Smith, Tanna Peters and Gwenna Corvez return for food after finishing pulling insulation out of two crawlspaces in a row on Saturday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau comes together to help residents recover from the Mendenhall River flood

Hauling wet fiberglass insulation from crawlspaces is currently the biggest need

From left to right: Jeff Smith, Tanna Peters and Gwenna Corvez return for food after finishing pulling insulation out of two crawlspaces in a row on Saturday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
A worker examines a flooded yard where fuel and other hazardous material may have spilled. (Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation photo)

Resources for flood cleanup and recovery offered by city, other entities

Waste collection and disposal options expanded, volunteer coordination and other efforts underway

A worker examines a flooded yard where fuel and other hazardous material may have spilled. (Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation photo)
Homes, streets and vehicles are swamped by record flooding from the Mendenhall River on Tuesday morning. (Photo by Rich Ross)

Sullivan: Short-term focus after flood on FEMA aid, long-term focus on ‘engineering solution’

“We can’t have it that Juneau has this problem every summer,” senator says during visit Thursday.

Homes, streets and vehicles are swamped by record flooding from the Mendenhall River on Tuesday morning. (Photo by Rich Ross)
Alaska National Guard members help clear debris Thursday from a neighborhood hit by record flooding of the Mendenhall River earlier this week. (Alaska National Guard photo)

Alaska National Guard deployed to assist with flood recovery efforts

40 members from Juneau and elsewhere will help with debris cleanup, distribution of supplies.

Alaska National Guard members help clear debris Thursday from a neighborhood hit by record flooding of the Mendenhall River earlier this week. (Alaska National Guard photo)
The aftermath of the flood is seen in Maggie Nolen’s basement apartment on Tuesday afternoon. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Juneau residents impacted by the Mendenhall River flood begin recovery step by step

Volunteers help salvage homes and belongings after record flood causes widespread damage.

The aftermath of the flood is seen in Maggie Nolen’s basement apartment on Tuesday afternoon. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Mayor Beth Weldon chat with Janet Coffin outside her home on Killewich Drive on Wednesday afternoon. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Following state disaster declaration, Gov. Dunleavy and Sen. Murkowski survey Juneau’s flooded homes

“What do we do with the community a year from now?”

Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Mayor Beth Weldon chat with Janet Coffin outside her home on Killewich Drive on Wednesday afternoon. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Homes and streets in the Mendenhall Valley are swamped by record flooding from the Mendenhall River on Tuesday morning. (Photo by Rich Ross)

Record flooding exceeding ‘worst-case’ forecast swamps homes and streets near Mendenhall River

Water from glacial outburst flood crests at 15.99 feet, tops last year’s record by more than a foot.

Homes and streets in the Mendenhall Valley are swamped by record flooding from the Mendenhall River on Tuesday morning. (Photo by Rich Ross)
Jill Lawhorne, community development director for the City and Borough of Juneau, and building inspector Jeff Hedges examine a section of armored riverbank that had minimal damage despite a fast-flowing drainage of water from the Meander Way neighborhood during record flooding Monday and Tuesday. A nearby homeowner reported the only damage to her home was a gash in the garage where a large spruce tree rammed into the exterior and poked a sizable hole that allowed water to get into the garage. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

City says more than 100 homes damaged by record flood; Gov. Dunleavy issues state disaster declaration

Congressional delegation, organizations and businesses also discussing assistance possibilities.

Jill Lawhorne, community development director for the City and Borough of Juneau, and building inspector Jeff Hedges examine a section of armored riverbank that had minimal damage despite a fast-flowing drainage of water from the Meander Way neighborhood during record flooding Monday and Tuesday. A nearby homeowner reported the only damage to her home was a gash in the garage where a large spruce tree rammed into the exterior and poked a sizable hole that allowed water to get into the garage. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Vehicles try to navigate through rapidly rising flood waters in a neighborhood along the Mendenhall River at about 1 a.m. on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Suicide Basin flood tracker: Mendenhall River crests at 15.99 feet, expected to retreat rapidly

New record water level more than a foot higher than last year, causes unexpected damage to some homes.

Vehicles try to navigate through rapidly rising flood waters in a neighborhood along the Mendenhall River at about 1 a.m. on Tuesday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Residents on Meander Way gather around a stand selling drinks, cookies and handmade trinkets early Sunday afternoon, a few hours after a flood warning was issued for the neighborhood due to a glacier outburst flood from Suicide Basin. Residents along the street, whose homes and yards were infiltrated by water from record flooding last year, said they are making contingency plans as they keep an eye on the water, but not fleeing their homes yet. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Residents in Mendenhall River flood zone preparing, not panicking after Suicide Basin breaks

“Go” bags, alternate places to stay, other safeguards set as people watch waters expected to peak Tuesday.

Residents on Meander Way gather around a stand selling drinks, cookies and handmade trinkets early Sunday afternoon, a few hours after a flood warning was issued for the neighborhood due to a glacier outburst flood from Suicide Basin. Residents along the street, whose homes and yards were infiltrated by water from record flooding last year, said they are making contingency plans as they keep an eye on the water, but not fleeing their homes yet. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A flood warning issued by the National Weather Service Juneau after Suicide Basin’s ice dam broke Sunday morning. (National Weather Service Juneau)

Suicide Basin breaks, Mendenhall River expected to crest Tuesday morning with “worst case” similar to 2023

Forecast for river level of nearly 15 feet will flood numerous homes, according to weather service.

A flood warning issued by the National Weather Service Juneau after Suicide Basin’s ice dam broke Sunday morning. (National Weather Service Juneau)
Jonathan Tuttle, a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, installs monitoring equipment at the Mendenhall River bridge on Back Loop Road Thursday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
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Weather Service: Suicide Basin overflowing from top, but ‘no indication of a release at this time’

“Now is the time to start preparing for potential flooding impacts along the Mendenhall lake and river.”

Jonathan Tuttle, a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, installs monitoring equipment at the Mendenhall River bridge on Back Loop Road Thursday morning. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
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Residents of Strasbaugh Apartments on Gastineau Avenue and others in the neighborhood wait outside a sealed-off area Sunday morning after a landslide triggered by heavy rain hit the building. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Landslide triggered by heavy rain damages apartment building on Gastineau Avenue

Record rainfall falls throughout Juneau on Sunday, more heavy rain forecast through Wednesday

Residents of Strasbaugh Apartments on Gastineau Avenue and others in the neighborhood wait outside a sealed-off area Sunday morning after a landslide triggered by heavy rain hit the building. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)