**Alaska on High Alert as Glacial Outburst Flooding Threatens Communities**

With the unprecedented melting of glaciers, officials warn of severe flooding risks in the Juneau area.

Residents in Juneau, Alaska, are being urged to evacuate as fears mount over potential record-breaking flooding following the melting of nearby glaciers. The National Weather Service (NWS) has put out a flood warning concerning an outburst of meltwater from a basin dammed by the Mendenhall Glacier. As of Tuesday, local officials had already alerted citizens to the possibility of evacuation, and by Wednesday, flow levels in the Mendenhall River soared above 16 feet — an alarming new crest deemed a record by meteorologist Nicole Ferrin.

The Mendenhall Glacier, a significant draw for tourists, is located approximately 12 miles (19km) from Juneau. Although initial measurements indicated levels of 9.85 feet, major flooding thresholds are set at 14 feet, drawing concern as the meltwater rapidly escalated. Ferrin described the situation as a "new record" and highlighted the urgency brought about by the glacier's outburst. The city’s informational resources clarify glacial outburst floods occur when accumulated meltwater breaches a glacier's natural dam, likening it to unplugging a filled bathtub.

In response to this escalating threat, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a state of disaster on Sunday, emphasizing the imminent risk posed by the glacial lake outburst flooding (GLOF). Since 2011, flooding has become a recurrent concern in the area, contributing to property destruction during previous events — as evidenced by significant damages incurred last year alone.

Environmental scientists warn that global climate shifts are causing glaciers to melt faster, distributing more excess water and resulting in expanded glacial lakes. While the frequency and magnitude of these lakes have increased since 1990, predicting individual flood events remains challenging due to various influencing factors. As the climate crisis unfolds, experts anticipate a rise in occurrences of such glacial outburst floods in the future.