Overview

• The Mendenhall River surged to about 5.1 meters on August 13, surpassing last year’s 4.9-meter high, according to the National Weather Service
• Local, state and tribal officials issued evacuation orders and Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a state disaster in response to the glacial lake outburst flood
• Authorities installed roughly 4 kilometers of Hesco barriers along riverbanks to protect about 460 properties from floods up to 5.5 meters
• By mid-August the river level was receding and barriers held back water with only minor street pooling reported and no serious injuries
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun a multi-year study to evaluate permanent solutions such as levees as climate-driven glacier retreat sustains flood risks