Alaska Governor declares disaster as glacial flood hits Mendenhall River

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has issued a state disaster declaration following a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) from Suicide Basin. The event has caused the Mendenhall River near Juneau to rise into flood stages, with the National Weather Service forecasting a major flood stage crest between 16.1 and 16.6 feet on August 13, 2026.

The declaration was prompted by assistance requests from the City and Borough of Juneau and the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. The move activates the State Public Assistance disaster recovery program and allows for the temporary waiver of certain administrative requirements to expedite flood response.

Local authorities and Alaska Electric Light and Power (AEL&P) are monitoring the situation closely. AEL&P may disconnect power to inundated areas, starting with the View Drive neighborhood, as water levels rise. While the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local agencies have fortified sandbag barriers up to 16 feet along the river, an evacuation advisory has been issued due to the imminent threat of catastrophic flooding.