Latest news with #BeckyBohrer
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Climate
- Boston Globe
Floodwaters from a glacier near Alaska's capital city break record levels and prompt evacuations
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The river hit major flood stage at 6 a.m. local time, already surpassing last year's record flood level of nearly 16 feet (5 meters), and was expected to peak at 8 a.m. before flood waters receded throughout the day Thursday, the National Weather Service said. Advertisement Basin flooding is a yearly worry Flooding from the basin has become an annual concern since 2011, and in recent years has swept away houses and swamped hundreds of homes. Government agencies installed temporary barriers this year in hopes of protecting several hundred homes in the inundation area from widespread damage. The flooding happens because a smaller glacier near Mendenhall Glacier retreated — a casualty of the warming climate — and left a basin that fills with rainwater and snowmelt each spring and summer. When the water creates enough pressure, it forces its way under or around the ice dam created by the Mendenhall Glacier, enters Mendenhall Lake and eventually flows down the Mendenhall River, as it did Tuesday. Advertisement Before the basin began overtopping, the water level was rising rapidly — as much as 4 feet (1.22 meters) per day during especially sunny or rainy days, according to the National Weather Service. The city saw successive years of record flooding in 2023 and 2024 — with the river last August cresting at 15.99 feet (4.9 meters), about 1 foot (30 centimeters) over the prior record set a year earlier — and flooding extending farther into the Mendenhall Valley. This year's flooding was predicted to crest at between 16.3 and 16.8 feet (4.96 to 5.12 meters). Last year, nearly 300 residences were damaged. A large outburst can release some 15 billion gallons of water, according to the University of Alaska Southeast and Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center. That's the equivalent of nearly 23,000 Olympic-size swimming pools. During last year's flood, the flow rate in the rushing Mendenhall River was about half that of Niagara Falls, the researchers say. Before the basin began overtopping, the water level was rising rapidly — as much as 4 feet (1.22 meters) per day during especially sunny or rainy days, according to the National Weather Service. Becky Bohrer/Associated Press A temporary levee is installed City officials responded to concerns from property owners this year by working with state, federal and tribal entities to install a temporary levee along roughly 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) of riverbank in an attempt to guard against widespread flooding. The 10,000 'Hesco' barriers are essentially giant sandbags intended to protect more than 460 properties completely during an 18-foot (5.5-meter) flood event, said emergency manager Ryan O'Shaughnessy. Advertisement The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is at the start of what's expected to be a yearslong process of studying conditions in the region and examining options for a more permanent solution, such as a levee. The timeline has angered some residents, who say it's unreasonable. Outburst floods are expected to continue as long as the Mendenhall Glacier acts as an ice dam to seal off the basin, which could span another 25 to 60 years, according to the university and science center researchers. Associated Press writer Becky Bohrer in Juneau contributed to this report.
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Climate
- Glasgow Times
Homeowners warned of flood risk as lake starts to break through ice dam
Officials in recent days have been warning people in the flood zone to be ready to evacuate. On Tuesday morning, they confirmed water had started escaping the ice dam and flowing downstream, with flooding expected from late on Tuesday into Wednesday. Flooding from the basin has become an annual concern and, in recent years, has swept away houses and swamped hundreds of homes. A canoe, bottom right, glides on Mendenhall Lake, in front of the Mendenhall glacier, Juneau, Alaska (Becky Bohrer/AP) Government agencies installed a temporary levy this year in hopes of guarding against widespread damage. 'This will be a new record, based on all of the information that we have,' Nicole Ferrin, a National Weather Service meteorologist, told a news conference on Tuesday. The Mendenhall glacier, a thinning, retreating glacier that is a major tourist attraction in south-east Alaska, acts as a dam for Suicide Basin, which fills each spring and summer with rainwater and snowmelt. The basin itself was left behind when a smaller glacier nearby retreated. Flood barriers to protect property against glacial outburst flooding have already been positioned (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP) When the water in the basin builds up enough pressure, it forces its way under or around the ice dam, entering Mendenhall Lake and eventually the Mendenhall River. Before the basin reached the limit of its capacity and began overtopping over the weekend, the water level was rising rapidly – as much as 1.22 metres per day during especially sunny or rainy days, according to the National Weather Service. The threat of so-called glacier outburst flooding has troubled parts of Juneau since 2011. In some years, there has been limited flooding of streets or properties near the lake or river. But 2023 and 2024 marked successive years of record flooding, with the river last August cresting at 4.9m – 30cm over the prior record set a year earlier, and flooding extending farther into the Mendenhall Valley. This year's flooding was predicted to crest at between 4.96m and 5.12m. Last year, nearly 300 residences were damaged. A large outburst can release some 15 billion gallons of water, according to the University of Alaska Southeast and Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Centre. That's the equivalent of nearly 23,000 Olympic-size swimming pools. During last year's flood, the flow rate in the rushing Mendenhall River was about half that of Niagara Falls, the researchers said. City officials responded to concerns from property owners this year by working with state, federal and tribal entities to install a temporary levee along roughly 2.5 miles of riverbank in an attempt to guard against widespread flooding. The installation of about 10,000 1.2m barriers is intended to protect more than 460 properties from flood levels similar to last year, said Nate Rumsey, deputy director with the city's engineering and public works department. The US army corps of engineers is at the start of what is expected to be a years-long process of studying conditions in the region and examining options for a more permanent solution. The timeline has angered some residents, who say it is unreasonable. Outburst floods are expected to continue as long as the Mendenhall Glacier acts as an ice dam to seal off the basin, which could span another 25-60 years, according to the university and science centre researchers.
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Climate
- South Wales Argus
Homeowners warned of flood risk as lake starts to break through ice dam
Officials in recent days have been warning people in the flood zone to be ready to evacuate. On Tuesday morning, they confirmed water had started escaping the ice dam and flowing downstream, with flooding expected from late on Tuesday into Wednesday. Flooding from the basin has become an annual concern and, in recent years, has swept away houses and swamped hundreds of homes. A canoe, bottom right, glides on Mendenhall Lake, in front of the Mendenhall glacier, Juneau, Alaska (Becky Bohrer/AP) Government agencies installed a temporary levy this year in hopes of guarding against widespread damage. 'This will be a new record, based on all of the information that we have,' Nicole Ferrin, a National Weather Service meteorologist, told a news conference on Tuesday. The Mendenhall glacier, a thinning, retreating glacier that is a major tourist attraction in south-east Alaska, acts as a dam for Suicide Basin, which fills each spring and summer with rainwater and snowmelt. The basin itself was left behind when a smaller glacier nearby retreated. Flood barriers to protect property against glacial outburst flooding have already been positioned (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP) When the water in the basin builds up enough pressure, it forces its way under or around the ice dam, entering Mendenhall Lake and eventually the Mendenhall River. Before the basin reached the limit of its capacity and began overtopping over the weekend, the water level was rising rapidly – as much as 1.22 metres per day during especially sunny or rainy days, according to the National Weather Service. The threat of so-called glacier outburst flooding has troubled parts of Juneau since 2011. In some years, there has been limited flooding of streets or properties near the lake or river. But 2023 and 2024 marked successive years of record flooding, with the river last August cresting at 4.9m – 30cm over the prior record set a year earlier, and flooding extending farther into the Mendenhall Valley. This year's flooding was predicted to crest at between 4.96m and 5.12m. Last year, nearly 300 residences were damaged. A large outburst can release some 15 billion gallons of water, according to the University of Alaska Southeast and Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Centre. That's the equivalent of nearly 23,000 Olympic-size swimming pools. During last year's flood, the flow rate in the rushing Mendenhall River was about half that of Niagara Falls, the researchers said. City officials responded to concerns from property owners this year by working with state, federal and tribal entities to install a temporary levee along roughly 2.5 miles of riverbank in an attempt to guard against widespread flooding. The installation of about 10,000 1.2m barriers is intended to protect more than 460 properties from flood levels similar to last year, said Nate Rumsey, deputy director with the city's engineering and public works department. The US army corps of engineers is at the start of what is expected to be a years-long process of studying conditions in the region and examining options for a more permanent solution. The timeline has angered some residents, who say it is unreasonable. Outburst floods are expected to continue as long as the Mendenhall Glacier acts as an ice dam to seal off the basin, which could span another 25-60 years, according to the university and science centre researchers.
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Climate
- Irish Examiner
Homeowners warned of flood risk as lake starts to break through ice dam
A huge basin of rainwater and snowmelt dammed by Alaska's Mendenhall glacier has started to release, and officials on Tuesday urged residents in some parts of Juneau to evacuate ahead of what could be a record surge of floodwater downstream. Officials in recent days have been warning people in the flood zone to be ready to evacuate. On Tuesday morning, they confirmed water had started escaping the ice dam and flowing downstream, with flooding expected from late on Tuesday into Wednesday. Flooding from the basin has become an annual concern and, in recent years, has swept away houses and swamped hundreds of homes. A canoe, bottom right, glides on Mendenhall Lake, in front of the Mendenhall glacier, Juneau, Alaska (Becky Bohrer/AP) Government agencies installed a temporary levy this year in hopes of guarding against widespread damage. 'This will be a new record, based on all of the information that we have,' Nicole Ferrin, a National Weather Service meteorologist, told a news conference on Tuesday. The Mendenhall glacier, a thinning, retreating glacier that is a major tourist attraction in south-east Alaska, acts as a dam for Suicide Basin, which fills each spring and summer with rainwater and snowmelt. The basin itself was left behind when a smaller glacier nearby retreated. Flood barriers to protect property against glacial outburst flooding have already been positioned (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP) When the water in the basin builds up enough pressure, it forces its way under or around the ice dam, entering Mendenhall Lake and eventually the Mendenhall River. Before the basin reached the limit of its capacity and began overtopping over the weekend, the water level was rising rapidly – as much as 1.22 metres per day during especially sunny or rainy days, according to the National Weather Service. The threat of so-called glacier outburst flooding has troubled parts of Juneau since 2011. In some years, there has been limited flooding of streets or properties near the lake or river. But 2023 and 2024 marked successive years of record flooding, with the river last August cresting at 4.9m – 30cm over the prior record set a year earlier, and flooding extending farther into the Mendenhall Valley. This year's flooding was predicted to crest at between 4.96m and 5.12m. Last year, nearly 300 residences were damaged. A large outburst can release some 15 billion gallons of water, according to the University of Alaska Southeast and Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Centre. That's the equivalent of nearly 23,000 Olympic-size swimming pools. During last year's flood, the flow rate in the rushing Mendenhall River was about half that of Niagara Falls, the researchers said. City officials responded to concerns from property owners this year by working with state, federal and tribal entities to install a temporary levee along roughly 2.5 miles of riverbank in an attempt to guard against widespread flooding. The installation of about 10,000 1.2m barriers is intended to protect more than 460 properties from flood levels similar to last year, said Nate Rumsey, deputy director with the city's engineering and public works department. The US army corps of engineers is at the start of what is expected to be a years-long process of studying conditions in the region and examining options for a more permanent solution. The timeline has angered some residents, who say it is unreasonable. Outburst floods are expected to continue as long as the Mendenhall Glacier acts as an ice dam to seal off the basin, which could span another 25-60 years, according to the university and science centre researchers.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Herald Scotland
Homeowners warned of flood risk as lake starts to break through ice dam
On Tuesday morning, they confirmed water had started escaping the ice dam and flowing downstream, with flooding expected from late on Tuesday into Wednesday. Flooding from the basin has become an annual concern and, in recent years, has swept away houses and swamped hundreds of homes. A canoe, bottom right, glides on Mendenhall Lake, in front of the Mendenhall glacier, Juneau, Alaska (Becky Bohrer/AP) Government agencies installed a temporary levy this year in hopes of guarding against widespread damage. 'This will be a new record, based on all of the information that we have,' Nicole Ferrin, a National Weather Service meteorologist, told a news conference on Tuesday. The Mendenhall glacier, a thinning, retreating glacier that is a major tourist attraction in south-east Alaska, acts as a dam for Suicide Basin, which fills each spring and summer with rainwater and snowmelt. The basin itself was left behind when a smaller glacier nearby retreated. Flood barriers to protect property against glacial outburst flooding have already been positioned (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP) When the water in the basin builds up enough pressure, it forces its way under or around the ice dam, entering Mendenhall Lake and eventually the Mendenhall River. Before the basin reached the limit of its capacity and began overtopping over the weekend, the water level was rising rapidly – as much as 1.22 metres per day during especially sunny or rainy days, according to the National Weather Service. The threat of so-called glacier outburst flooding has troubled parts of Juneau since 2011. In some years, there has been limited flooding of streets or properties near the lake or river. But 2023 and 2024 marked successive years of record flooding, with the river last August cresting at 4.9m – 30cm over the prior record set a year earlier, and flooding extending farther into the Mendenhall Valley. This year's flooding was predicted to crest at between 4.96m and 5.12m. Last year, nearly 300 residences were damaged. A large outburst can release some 15 billion gallons of water, according to the University of Alaska Southeast and Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Centre. That's the equivalent of nearly 23,000 Olympic-size swimming pools. During last year's flood, the flow rate in the rushing Mendenhall River was about half that of Niagara Falls, the researchers said. City officials responded to concerns from property owners this year by working with state, federal and tribal entities to install a temporary levee along roughly 2.5 miles of riverbank in an attempt to guard against widespread flooding. The installation of about 10,000 1.2m barriers is intended to protect more than 460 properties from flood levels similar to last year, said Nate Rumsey, deputy director with the city's engineering and public works department. The US army corps of engineers is at the start of what is expected to be a years-long process of studying conditions in the region and examining options for a more permanent solution. The timeline has angered some residents, who say it is unreasonable. Outburst floods are expected to continue as long as the Mendenhall Glacier acts as an ice dam to seal off the basin, which could span another 25-60 years, according to the university and science centre researchers.
