flooding

Amanda Arra (right) explains her plans for evacuating her home to Ric Iannolino at midday Sunday after a record flood Saturday eroded about 50 feet of her backyard and a quarter of the earth under her house. Dozens of local residents are facing the losses of their residences due to erosion and other damage that they say is beyond repair. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Residents of homes damaged and destroyed by record flooding consider short- and long-term futures

Some say their houses are beyond repair due to erosion, wonder if more instability lies ahead.

Amanda Arra (right) explains her plans for evacuating her home to Ric Iannolino at midday Sunday after a record flood Saturday eroded about 50 feet of her backyard and a quarter of the earth under her house. Dozens of local residents are facing the losses of their residences due to erosion and other damage that they say is beyond repair. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Debris from one partially destroyed house lies on the bank of the Mendenhall River while a large portion of an adjacent house hangs over the riverbank at midday Sunday following record flooding Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Cleanup begins as city declares Suicide Basin flooding a local emergency

Salvage efforts are underway Sunday as water rapidly recedes.

Debris from one partially destroyed house lies on the bank of the Mendenhall River while a large portion of an adjacent house hangs over the riverbank at midday Sunday following record flooding Saturday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A home collapses into the Mendenhall River on Saturday due to a record amount of flooding from Suicide Basin since an annual cycle of water release began there in 2011. Officials said nobody was injured when the house collapsed, but other structures along the riverbank are at risk. (Screenshot from video by Sam Nolan)

Record flooding from Suicide Basin destroys one home, swamps others and cuts off access

Officials say no injuries reported; water peaks at 11:15 p.m. Saturday, receding rapidly Sunday

A home collapses into the Mendenhall River on Saturday due to a record amount of flooding from Suicide Basin since an annual cycle of water release began there in 2011. Officials said nobody was injured when the house collapsed, but other structures along the riverbank are at risk. (Screenshot from video by Sam Nolan)
An image from the National Weather Service shows the status of Suicide Basin at about 4 p.m. Friday. Updates are posted on the weather service’s website three time a day. (National Weather Service)

Flood warning for Mendenhall Lake, Mendenhall River in effect until Sunday

Release of water from Suicide Basin expected to crest Saturday night.

An image from the National Weather Service shows the status of Suicide Basin at about 4 p.m. Friday. Updates are posted on the weather service’s website three time a day. (National Weather Service)
This July 1, 2021 photo shows flooding along the Taku River south of Juneau. The National Weather Service lifted flood warnings for area rivers but not before record-high floodwaters on the Taku River damaged homes. (Courtesy photo / Kathleen Samalon)

Properties damaged, water recedes after record-setting flooding

High heat, high water.

This July 1, 2021 photo shows flooding along the Taku River south of Juneau. The National Weather Service lifted flood warnings for area rivers but not before record-high floodwaters on the Taku River damaged homes. (Courtesy photo / Kathleen Samalon)
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)
Emily Weir’s car fell into chasm washed away on John Street in Douglas the evening of Oct. 5, 2015. Heavy rains in Juneau washed out roads, caused mudslides and damaged houses. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)

Update: Repairs underway on roads damage by mudslides

Full extent of damage not yet known.

Emily Weir’s car fell into chasm washed away on John Street in Douglas the evening of Oct. 5, 2015. Heavy rains in Juneau washed out roads, caused mudslides and damaged houses. (Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire)