Severe weather

The town of Tenakee Springs is holding a fundraiser to replace a footbridge washed out in the torrential December rains of 2020. (Courtesy photo / Nicole Pegues)

Tenakee Springs fundraises to replace washed-out bridge

With the birdge cut, residents on the far side have no foot access to town.

 

A bear statue near the Alaska State Capitol Building stares pensively into the snow as inches fall on Juneau as part of a series of winter storm systems on March 22, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Snow is falling, and the avalanche risk rising

March will be a hefty but not record-breaking month for snow.

 

Alaska Airlines is inspecting a 737-700 after it was struck by lightning while flying from Juneau to Sitka on Feb. 21, 2021 in accordance with the company’s policies. (Courtesy photo / National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration)

Alaska Airlines inspecting flight after lightning strike near Sitka

An inspection is the airline’s standard procedure after a strike.

 

Heritage Coffee Roasting Company is one of several Juneau businesses helping to prepare hundreds of meals for Haines residents and emergency relief workers following landslides that destroyed many homes and killed two. (Courtesy Photo / Kirk Stagg)

Juneau organizations serve up help for Haines

Hundreds of meals a day go north to help feed Haines.

Heritage Coffee Roasting Company is one of several Juneau businesses helping to prepare hundreds of meals for Haines residents and emergency relief workers following landslides that destroyed many homes and killed two. (Courtesy Photo / Kirk Stagg)
Organizations are withdrawing searchers from landslide-stricken Haines after the Alaska State Troopers called off active search and rescue operations due to hazardous conditions with the terrain and bad weather conditions in the search area. (U.S. Coast Guard photo / Lt. Erick Oredson)

State calls off active search and rescue operations in Haines

Many organizations are withdrawing their searchers but continuing their support of recovery work.

Organizations are withdrawing searchers from landslide-stricken Haines after the Alaska State Troopers called off active search and rescue operations due to hazardous conditions with the terrain and bad weather conditions in the search area. (U.S. Coast Guard photo / Lt. Erick Oredson)
“Historically bad” conditions have postponed the season opening of Eaglecrest Ski Area, said a spokesperson for the facility. (Courtesy photo / Charlie Herrington)

Eaglecrest opening on hold till weather chills out

Historically bad weather has postponed the opening until the temperature drops.

“Historically bad” conditions have postponed the season opening of Eaglecrest Ski Area, said a spokesperson for the facility. (Courtesy photo / Charlie Herrington)
Personnel from the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska load a front-end loader aboard the vessel Frontrunner for transit to Haines to provide relief and assistance in recovery efforts in Haines following catastrophic rainfall-fueled landslides, Dec. 3, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

State, local organizations respond to Haines disaster

Everyone from SAR specialists to tribal organizations to uniformed services are helping out.

Personnel from the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska load a front-end loader aboard the vessel Frontrunner for transit to Haines to provide relief and assistance in recovery efforts in Haines following catastrophic rainfall-fueled landslides, Dec. 3, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A truck stops outside Douglas Island Pink and Chum to pump in water on Thursday following damage to a pipeline caused by a landslide on Dec. 3, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Landslide damages DIPAC’s freshwater supply

Many fish slated for release next spring were destroyed to preserve resources.

A truck stops outside Douglas Island Pink and Chum to pump in water on Thursday following damage to a pipeline caused by a landslide on Dec. 3, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A mudslide at the top of Wire Street near Twin Lakes Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, sent rocks and other debris down the road. City and Borough of Juneau staff were on-site to assess the damage. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Heavy rain and mudslides strike buildings, wash out roads

Tuesday set a record for rainfall for the Dec. 1 of any year.

A mudslide at the top of Wire Street near Twin Lakes Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, sent rocks and other debris down the road. City and Borough of Juneau staff were on-site to assess the damage. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Juneau is expected to receive between five and ten inches of rain between Monday, Nov. 30, and Wednesday, Dec. 2, possibly leading to avalanches, mudslides, and high water levels and flooding, like Gold Creek, shown here July 26, 2020 after heavy rains. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

City warns against mudslides, avalanches as heavy rains predicted

Juneau may get as much as 10 inches of rain by Wednesday evening.

Juneau is expected to receive between five and ten inches of rain between Monday, Nov. 30, and Wednesday, Dec. 2, possibly leading to avalanches, mudslides, and high water levels and flooding, like Gold Creek, shown here July 26, 2020 after heavy rains. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Lemon Creek operations center in Juneau is pictured in 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Damaged insulator knocks out power to large swaths of Juneau

November has been a ‘rough patch of outages’.

Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Lemon Creek operations center in Juneau is pictured in 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Volunteers with All Hands and Hearts, including Fred Hiltner, far right, take a photo with a homeowner they were helping in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria in March 2018. (Courtesy Photo | Fred Hiltner)

Strength and resilience: Juneau man travels to Puerto Rico to lend a hand

Juneau’s spirit of helping out doesn’t stop here.

Volunteers with All Hands and Hearts, including Fred Hiltner, far right, take a photo with a homeowner they were helping in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria in March 2018. (Courtesy Photo | Fred Hiltner)
Valentine’s Day starts with the falling snow on the Gastineau Channel Friday. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Snowy Valentine’s Day leads into likely warmer week

Hopefully your holiday plans are indoors.

Valentine’s Day starts with the falling snow on the Gastineau Channel Friday. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Department of Transportation uses the DaisyBell device to precisely trigger controlled avalanches above Thane Road, reducing the chances of a catastrophic natural avalanche, Feb. 11, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Video

An ounce of prevention: Alaska DOT triggers avalanches above Thane Road

A small noise with a big effect: using tech to trigger avalanches

The Alaska Department of Transportation uses the DaisyBell device to precisely trigger controlled avalanches above Thane Road, reducing the chances of a catastrophic natural avalanche, Feb. 11, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
Video
Schools and bus routes are cancelled in Juneau following heavy snow, Feb. 4, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Snow causes closings for schools, bus service across Juneau

Many other offices and businesses are open as usual.

Schools and bus routes are cancelled in Juneau following heavy snow, Feb. 4, 2020. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)
High winds blow snow out of the Sheep Creek valley south of downtown Juneau in March 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

A cold wind blows: Taku Winds coming Friday

The beginning of the weekend will be a blustery one.

High winds blow snow out of the Sheep Creek valley south of downtown Juneau in March 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A fire hydrant in the snow along Glacier Highway on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

CCFR: Clear your hydrants and help your neighbors

Lend a hand to your neighbors and your emergency personnel.

A fire hydrant in the snow along Glacier Highway on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Tommy Reber cleans a fresh coat of snow off his vehicle at Gruening Park on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

With a vengeance: Juneau due for winter storm

Winter is here, so drive safe.

Tommy Reber cleans a fresh coat of snow off his vehicle at Gruening Park on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The National Weather Service issued a gale warning for the waters around Juneau and most of the Inside Passage, Dec. 26, 2019. (Screenshot | National Weather Service)

Gale warning called for Thursday morning, Friday night

High winds and seas are predicted.

The National Weather Service issued a gale warning for the waters around Juneau and most of the Inside Passage, Dec. 26, 2019. (Screenshot | National Weather Service)
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Juneau (Courtesy Photo | NWS)

Winter weather advisory issued for Juneau

Expect 3-5 inches of snow in some places.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Juneau (Courtesy Photo | NWS)