Video footage captured by Juneau, Alaska residents reveals the dramatic collapse of a multi-story home into a rivershowing the devastating impact of flooding.
Residents near the Juneau International Airport have also seen debris and trees floating in the Mendenhall River.
That part of Alaska is dealing with a severe flash flood from a glacial lake that has prompted city officials to declare a state of emergency.
The flooding, triggered by a rupture in the Suicide Basin, a side basin on the Mendenhall Glacier, has caused widespread destruction near the town, with several structures destroyed and two homes lost.
The flooding has closed several roads in the region, including bridges, according to emergency information issued by the juneau city.
Alaska: Unprecedented Devastation and Imminent Threat
The National Weather Service reported that flooding has wreaked havoc along the Mendenhall River, has resulted in the destruction of buildings and significant damage to a building of condominiums, which is now at risk of collapsing.
Trees and debris litter the river, causing dangerous conditions. This flood event has been classified as “extreme”, with a probability of occurrence of less than 1% on a FEMA scale.
Juneau residents are on alert after the level of Lake Mendenhall reached a record 14.97 feet, surpassing the previous record of 11.99 feet set in July 2016, as reported by ABC.
Areas that have never experienced flooding before have been severely affected, with significant erosion along the river banks. Roads, including bridges, were closed due to flooding, affecting transportation in the region.
Juneau National Weather Service hydrologist Aaron Jacobs expressed his astonishment at the magnitude of the flooding, saying such an event was previously considered unlikely, according to ABC.
Residents have been urged to stay away from the river during the flood as the situation remains very dangerous.
Suicide Basin has been known to release glacial lake flash floods since 2011, causing periodic flooding along Mendenhall Lake and the Mendenhall River. However, the current flood event is unprecedented in its magnitude and destruction.
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