U.S. News
Juneau Faces Heavy Rain After Historic Snowfall
Clear Facts
- Juneau has experienced record snowfall, with city and tribal authorities issuing emergency declarations ahead of incoming heavy rain.
- Governor Mike Dunleavy has enacted a verbal disaster declaration to speed up state support for Alaska’s capital as flooding, landslides, and avalanches threaten the area.
- The approaching weather system, an atmospheric river, is expected to bring significant rain after snow, increasing slide and flood risks in southeast Alaska.
Juneau residents are bracing for rapid weather changes after weeks of historic snowfall have pushed local resources to their limits.
Authorities now warn of possible flooding, landslides, and avalanches as an atmospheric river brings warm, wet air predicted to overwhelm existing snowpack.
The City and Borough of Juneau, along with Tlingit and Haida tribal officials, declared a local emergency in anticipation of major impacts from the approaching storm system.
Governor Mike Dunleavy’s verbal disaster declaration ensures faster state support for emergency measures as the situation develops.
Atmospheric rivers move warm, moist air from lower latitudes northward, often resulting in intense rain and snow across affected regions.
Such storms have caused deadly landslides in rugged areas of Southeast Alaska before.
“This storm and the atmospheric river that’s headed our way on top of this historic, unprecedented amount of snowfall that we’ve had does come with an increased chance for landslides and avalanches,” said City and Borough of Juneau emergency programs manager Ryan O’Shaughnessy during a press conference.
He stated that evacuation orders could be issued for some neighborhoods if required.
With deep snow already stressing infrastructure and blocking roads, officials warn that rain on frozen ground is likely to create flooding where drains are clogged or waterways are blocked.
The National Weather Service forecasts a transition from snow to rain in Juneau on Friday, with other southeast regions possibly affected sooner and facing rainfall totals of up to four inches.
Nicole Ferrin, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said the region’s mountain snowpack could absorb some rain, but low-lying areas with little snow will be exposed to direct flooding and landslide risks.
“We will continue to monitor any potentials for other impacts throughout the event and coordinate with the emergency managers in the southern Panhandle for what needs or any impacts that they’re seeing on the ground in real time,” said Ferrin.
Emergency declarations at the state, local, and tribal levels currently only apply to Juneau, but most of Southeast Alaska is under flood watch until late Saturday, with high wind alerts active in some locations.
Previous disaster declarations have recently covered other regions for storm and power outage impacts, but this alert is focused on Juneau and the Southeast.
Families are encouraged to stay informed and prepared as Alaska’s weather patterns continue to shift rapidly this season.
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