Floodwaters from a melting glacier threaten to swamp Juneau, Alaska, as officials scramble to protect the capital’s residents, as the Daily Mail reports.
Emergency managers ordered evacuations along the Mendenhall River as a glacial outburst from Suicide Basin, worsened by climate-driven ice melt, sent torrents toward homes. The crisis, expected to peak on Wednesday, August 13, could inundate entire neighborhoods. This isn’t nature’s wrath alone -- it’s a consequence of relentless global warming narratives pushing unproven solutions.
The Mendenhall River, swollen by a glacial lake outburst, was projected to crest between 16.25 and 16.75 feet around 8 a.m. on August 13, surpassing last year’s record of 15.99 feet. Residents in low-lying areas like View Drive and Meander Way were told to evacuate until an “All Clear” signal is issued. Meanwhile, progressive climate policies seem more focused on optics than practical flood defenses.
A smaller glacier’s retreat near Mendenhall Glacier left Suicide Basin filled with rainwater and snowmelt, rising up to four feet daily. When pressure forced water beneath the glacier, a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) was triggered, unlike typical rain-driven floods. The unpredictability, as the USGS notes, “caused significant loss worldwide,” yet eco-alarmists rarely mention adaptation over mitigation.
“These events are unpredictable and have caused significant loss of life and infrastructure worldwide,” the USGS warned. Their follow-up claim, “it is unclear how these lake hazards may change as temperatures rise,” dodges accountability for untested climate fixes. Practical barriers, not endless carbon taxes, are what Juneau needs now.
By 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Mendenhall Lake hit 15.3 feet, well into major flood stage, which starts at 9 feet. Forecasts predicted a peak near 16.75 feet, flooding homes, roads, and riverbanks. The National Weather Service’s Nicole Ferrin called it “a new record,” but record-breaking floods won’t be solved by record-breaking regulations.
Juneau deployed two miles of emergency flood barriers in July 2025 to shield Mendenhall Valley, home to most of its 32,000 residents. These barriers aim to protect hundreds of homes, but at 17 feet, entire neighborhoods like Meadow Lane and View Drive could be underwater. Relying on temporary fixes while ignoring long-term infrastructure speaks volumes about bureaucratic priorities.
Roads like Mendenhall Loop Road were closed, along with public facilities such as the Mendenhall Valley Public Library and Diamond Park Aquatic Center. “The closure will remain in effect until water levels recede below 12 feet,” officials stated, pending bridge safety inspections. These disruptions highlight the real-world cost of prioritizing climate rhetoric over robust engineering.
A Red Cross shelter at Floyd Dryden Gymnasium opened for displaced residents, offering immediate relief. The FAA also imposed a flight restriction over the Mendenhall River until Aug. 19, banning drones and flights up to 400 feet without approval. Such measures show competence, unlike the endless green mandates that leave communities vulnerable.
At 11 feet, low-lying yards flood, and roads become impassable; at 15 to 16 feet, homes and intersections face severe inundation. The expected crest could submerge businesses near Vintage Park Boulevard and entire streets. Yet, climate activists push electric cars while Juneau braces for billions of gallons of water, equivalent to 23,000 Olympic pools.
The Mendenhall Glacier, a tourist draw 12 miles from Juneau, feeds into the crisis as its side basin, Suicide Basin, releases water annually. Since 2011, these outbursts have swept away homes and flooded hundreds more, with 2023 and 2024 setting grim precedents. The obsession with net-zero goals distracts from fortifying cities against such recurring threats.
“The basin is releasing, and flooding is expected along Mendenhall Lake and River,” officials posted on Facebook. Their urgency contrasts with the slow grind of climate conferences that offer little for flood-weary Alaskans. Action, not agendas, is what saves lives here.
Only the Trail of Time and East Glacier trails near the glacier remain open, while popular spots like Nugget Falls and Photo Point are closed. Homes near Mendenhall Lake, many fronting the river, face direct risk. The idea that carbon offsets can stop a glacier’s melt ignores the immediate need for stronger flood defenses.
Juneau’s outskirts, vulnerable to the Mendenhall River’s wrath, have seen temporary barriers installed in 2025. These protect hundreds of homes, but the threat of a 17-foot crest looms large. Throwing money at global climate schemes won’t build the walls Juneau needs today.
Water levels were expected to drop below major flood stage by Wednesday night, offering hope for residents. Still, the cycle of glacial outbursts, worsened by warming, demands practical solutions over ideological crusades. Juneau’s fight is against water, not “capitalism” or “deniers,” as some would claim.
