Overview

• On August 13 the Mendenhall River reached major flood stage at about 16.51 feet, overtopping the 2024 record of 15.99 feet as water escaped the ice dam at Suicide Basin.
• Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a preemptive disaster declaration and city officials ordered evacuations for all residents within the designated flood inundation zone.
• Nearly 10,000 temporary Hesco barriers were deployed along 2.5 miles of riverbank to protect more than 460 properties, though some seepage has caused minor street flooding.
• The National Weather Service forecast peak levels between 16.3 and 16.8 feet by Wednesday morning after basin water rose as much as four feet per day.
• In response to annual glacial lake outburst floods driven by Mendenhall Glacier retreat, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has launched a multiyear study of permanent flood-control options.