The emergency shelter at Centennial Hall closed this morning after days of continuous operation during the avalanche and evacuation advisories, with city officials and relief organizations offering thanks to the staff and volunteers who provided round-the-clock support for more than 50 displaced residents.
The shelter was opened last Friday as a precaution for the elevated avalanche risk, and volunteers and staff worked hard to create a safe place to stay for community members affected by evacuation advisories. Operations were supported through a partnership between the City and Borough of Juneau, the American Red Cross of Alaska, Juneau Arts and Humanities, and numerous volunteers.
“The Red Cross is the sheltering partner for this disaster,” said Britta Tonnessen, community disaster program manager with the American Red Cross of Alaska in a statement release on social media by CBJ, they were also able to accommodate pets through collaboration with Juneau Animal Rescue.
The shelter remained open 24 hours a day throughout the advisory period, staffed by volunteers and professionals who coordinated meals, sleeping arrangements and general care for the community..
“We’re continuing to actively monitor the avalanche risk and all the slide pass in close partnership with the DOT.” Said emergency Manager for CBJ, Ryan O’Shaughnessy, “Right now, we believe that the risk is acceptable for folks to return to their homes.”
Information about ongoing avalanche conditions and emergency preparedness remains available through the City and Borough of Juneau
Capital Transit bus, turning through pooling water, photo courtesy of CBJ
NOTN- Most City and Borough of Juneau facilities and schools reopened Monday after crews removed more than 3 million pounds of snow and ice from rooftops across the city, though officials warned that avalanche danger, high winds and heavy rain could create renewed hazards through Wednesday.
Deputy City Manager Robert Barr said city crews and contractors worked through the past week to prepare buildings for safe occupancy.
“We got a lot of work done.” Said Barr, “CBJ teams, our contractors, did a lot getting ready for facilities to reopen. The warming weather, I would say, mostly helped us, but the rain definitely presented some new challenges too. Over the past week or so, our crews and contractors removed over 3 million pounds of snow and ice from our roofs, that work, combined with the work of our engineering team doing all those roof assessments, got us to where we are today.”
All Juneau School District schools and CBJ facilities reopened Monday, except for Mendenhall River Community Schools, which remained closed while contractors complete snow removal from roofs.
City officials are now closely monitoring another weather system expected to move through the panhandle today into Wednesday.
High wind warnings have been issued for much of the panhandle through 9 p.m. Wednesday. Winds are expected to increase rapidly this afternoon, first across southern communities and then moving north. Gusts of up to 70 mph are possible as the front pushes through late today, before gradually decreasing but remaining elevated into Wednesday.
Forecasts also call for two to three inches of rain, conditions that could significantly increase avalanche danger.
“We will be actively monitoring that pattern with our partners at the Weather Service and DOT, and everyone else that’s involved with it so that we can understand what that might mean for avalanche risk. And of course, we’ll communicate that as it as it evolves.” Said Barr.
As a precaution, Thane Road will be closed at the avalanche gates beginning at noon today due to high avalanche hazard. The closure will be re-evaluated at 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Officials warned that if a natural avalanche reaches the roadway, debris removal may not be possible until conditions improve or hazard levels decrease naturally.
Barr thanked residents who reported drainage issues the city, saying the information helped crews clear storm drains and access fire hydrants.
“I want to express appreciation and really thank everyone who has reached out to us, really appreciate people giving us a heads up about where they see that localized flooding or ponding because a storm drains not clear.”
Residents can report more drainage issues or hazards at emergencyresponse@juneau.gov.
Juneau’s emergency declaration issued last week has brought additional assistance from the State Emergency Operations Center. Barr said the state is helping with documentation for potential reimbursement, coordinating with insurance providers, supplying new avalanche monitoring equipment installed Sunday, and supporting drone flights for situational awareness. Helicopter support is planned once weather conditions allow.
Centennial Hall will remain open as an emergency shelter for the foreseeable future, as long as evacuation advisories remain in place.
NOTN- City officials issued a high-risk avalanche evacuation advisory today as worsening weather conditions raised the likelihood of avalanches across all known slide paths.
The advisory, updated at 10:30 a.m., urges residents in at-risk areas to evacuate as increased snowfall, warmer temperatures and several inches of rain forecast at higher elevations are significantly heightening avalanche danger.
Officials stressed that the situation is rapidly evolving and could escalate further as weather conditions deteriorate.
Emergency response crews are staged and prepared to respond in the event of an avalanche at Thane road where DOT was scheduled to close the road at the avalanche gates at noon.
An emergency shelter is available at Centennial Hall, where the American Red Cross is prepared to provide mass care services, including meals, once formally activated. City officials said resources are in place to support evacuees should conditions worsen.
Pet sheltering is also available at Centennial Hall. Juneau Animal Rescue is offering additional emergency pet sheltering through its Safe-Keeping Program, and JAR and KTOO have created resources to help pet owners prepare for emergencies.
“‘It’s a substantial portion of downtown.” Said Deputy City Manager Robert Barr, “Downtown is the area that that we’ve been able to map. That doesn’t mean avalanche doesn’t exist elsewhere. folks should just be aware.”
Authorities urged residents to take precautions during the period of elevated avalanche risk, including avoiding travel beneath known avalanche paths, following all road and trail closures, and not stopping in avalanche runout zones. Residents were also advised to closely monitor official alerts and updates.
After storms or avalanche activity, officials warned people to stay clear of debris piles and runout areas and to wait for official reopening notices before resuming normal travel. Any observed avalanche activity should be reported to authorities.
NOTN- All Juneau School District (JSD) schools will be closed today January 9, due to the weather.
A statement was released by JSD yesterday evening saying that for the safety of students, staff and families all classes, meetings and activities are cancelled.
City and Borough of Juneau engineers are continuing to monitor the roofs at CBJ facilities during the closures.
Thane Road will be closed at the avalanche gates beginning at noon today due to a high risk of avalanches. An avalanche advisory for all known slide paths also went into effect yesterday evening, and officials warn that hazardous conditions are expected to intensify over the coming days.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities announced the emergency closure for Thane Road, the closure is scheduled to be re-evaluated at 8 a.m. Saturday.
“The avalanche hazard is expected to remain high over the next few days,” DOT said in their social media post, “If a natural avalanche reaches the roadway, it is unlikely DOT&PF will be able to safely remove the avalanche debris until the hazard can be minimized from mitigation work or once the hazard has decreased naturally.”
At the same time, the City and Borough of Juneau warned that avalanche risk across the Mount Juneau slide paths remains high and is expected to significantly increase over the next few days.
An atmospheric system bringing warmer air and precipitation has raised concerns about destabilizing the deep snowpack that has built up over weeks of heavy snowfall. While the situation does not currently warrant an evacuation advisory, city officials said preparations are underway.
Officials said an emergency alert would be issued if an evacuation advisory is called.
Authorities are continuing to monitor avalanche conditions closely and emphasized that public safety remains the priority.
The city is bracing for heavy rain and potential the for more flooding of roadways and storm drains as an atmospheric river is expected to impact much Southeast Alaska into the weekend, weather officials are saying Juneau will see a transition to rain later today.
Photo courtesy of Mendenhall River Community School
NOTN- Students and staff at Mendenhall River Community School were relocated to Thunder Mountain Middle school today out of an abundance of caution after engineers raised concerns about the snow load on the roof in the gymnasium, according to a statement released by Juneau School District.
According to the statement, engineers conducted a walk-through inspection of the school and initially cleared the building for occupancy. However, during a second inspection the recommendation was made to relocate students and staff to TMMS.
District officials said all students and staff are safe.
Students were transported by school bus with their classes and teachers to TMMS, where families can pick them up after 1 p.m.
Capital Transit, submerged in pooling water, photo courtesy of CBJ
NOTN- Winter is far from over, and the next phase of Juneau’s extreme winter weather is coming in the form of an atmospheric river, which is expected to bring heavy rain to Southeast Alaska through the weekend, and this is raising concerns about flooding as rain falls on to an already deep snowpack that has clogged storm drains, flooded roads and pooled on highways and strained local infrastructure.
The system is forecast to arrive late tonight and persist through early Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service Juneau.
In Juneau, forecasters are predicting the storm will begin as snow and transition to rain Friday morning, totaling roughly 1 to 4 inches.
The rain will fall on the already deep snowpack across much of the central and northern Panhandle, increasing water pooling in streets and low-lying areas where blocked storm drains prevent proper runoff, there is also increased risk of possible isolated landslides for the southern panhandle.
Governor Mike Dunleavy has verbally approved Juneau’s disaster declaration, activating the state’s public assistance program.
Under the declaration, the state is assisting Juneau with clearing snow from roofs of critical public facilities, including schools, water treatment plants and Bartlett Regional Hospital.
Crews will also help dig out storm drains and fire hydrants to reduce flooding and maintain emergency access. However, officials emphasized that the assistance does not extend to private homes or businesses.
Emergency managers said conditions will continue to be monitored closely as the storm develops and additional updates will be issued as needed.
Update: Following an emergency declaration by the City and Borough of Juneau and the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida, Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a state disaster, unlocking emergency and operational support as Juneau prepares for an incoming atmospheric river.
Officials say funding and staffing are urgently needed to reduce roof snow loads, clear drainage systems, access hydrants, and monitor avalanche risks, particularly at schools and other public facilities. The National Weather Service is forecasting up to two inches of rain on Friday alone and rapidly warming temperatures later this week, which will increase the risk of avalanches and landslides.
State Emergency Operations Center staff and partner agencies have already begun mobilizing resources to assist Juneau.
City Manager Katie Koester says the winter storm impacts are unprecedented, noting the community is exhausted and winter is far from over. The Juneau Assembly is scheduled to consider ratifying the disaster declaration at a special meeting this evening, with public participation available both in person and online.
Original Story:
Juneau has declared a local emergency to bring in additional help to clear snow from public facility roofs as the prolonged heavy snowfall followed by rain is raising concerns about roof loads and public safety.
“Our city crews have been busy doing snow removal and now hauling away snow. Our personnel are getting tired, and we’re getting low on personnel. So what’s coming up next, especially with the rain, is shoveling our public facility roofs.” Said Mayor Beth Weldon, “That’s the city roofs, and also the tribal roofs. The state is already sending public facility crews to help out with that, but in order to do that, we needed to have an emergency declaration.”
The emergency declaration, issued this evening, was made jointly by the City and Borough of Juneau and the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida.
The declaration allows the state to deploy public facilities crews to assist with clearing snow from city and tribally owned buildings, digging out fire hydrants and conducting avalanche monitoring as needed.
Weldon stated that the additional resources will be used only for public infrastructure and not for private properties.
“These crews are coming in to help with the government, that’s what they do with an emergency, so they will not be helping with individual private roofs or private driveways.”
The emergency declaration also makes it possible to request help from the Alaska National Guard.
“At this time, we’re not sure if the National Guard will be coming or not. It will depend on what these public facility crews can do. So there’s potential that they will come, but at this time, we’re not sure if they will come or not.” Weldon Said. “Between our crews and the public facility crews, if we can get the roofs shoveled off, especially now with the rain, then we don’t need the National Guard. If we do need the National Guard, especially shoveling out hydrants, then they will bring those in also. We’re not 100% sure what that looks like yet. This is hot off the press.”
Weldon said the city had not previously declared an emergency because conditions were manageable, “We just want to make sure that the public is aware why we’re declaring one now, now that it’s raining and the snow is getting a little heavier, we’re getting concerned with our roofs, although right now, structurally, we are fine.”
The emergency declaration does not change how the city is handling street plowing. Weldon said city crews will continue working on roads, but snow berms left by plows on private property will remain the responsibility of property owners.
“I’m not saying that the city crews at some time can’t help a little bit with the berms that unfortunately end up being on private property, We’re very aware that berms are very hard to shovel, but we don’t have the manpower right now to take away the berms.”
Juneau has been dealing with record-breaking snowfall in recent weeks, taxing local resources and prompting repeated closures of schools and city facilities.
Snow reports yesterday, photo courtesy of the National Weather Service Juneau
NOTN- City and Borough of Juneau facilities and offices will be closed today as hazardous road and weather conditions persist following about 6-7 inches of additional snowfall in some areas of Juneau yesterday, with exceptions for Downtown Juneau, West Juneau and South Douglas, who, according to reports saw 11-12 inches, 9.5 inches, and 9 inches of snowfall respectively.
Juneau School District schools will also be closed and the UAS campus will be operating remotely.
City officials urged residents to stay off the roads for their own safety and to allow snow removal crews to continue their work as efficiently as possible. While facilities are closed to the public, CBJ staff will continue providing services remotely where feasible.
The closure affects all Juneau Public Libraries and the Juneau-Douglas City Museum, as well as all Parks and Recreation facilities.
Capital Transit will continue operating on winter routes. Riders are encouraged to check service updates at juneaucapitaltransit.org.
City officials said they are assessing the roofs of city-owned facilities and will continue monitoring storm and road conditions, sharing updates as they become available.
NOTN- Juneau schools and City and Borough of Juneau offices will be closed today as a winter storm warning takes effect earlier than expected, with forecasters calling for heavy snowfall and hazardous road conditions across much of Southeast Alaska.
The City and Borough of Juneau announced that all CBJ offices and the Juneau School District will be closed.
City staff will work remotely where possible and remain available by phone or email. Officials are urging residents to limit travel to allow snow removal crews to operate safely and efficiently.
According to the National Weather Service, snow is beginning this morning for much of Southeast, and intensifing through the afternoon, with peak snowfall around midday.
Updated forecasts issued late Sunday moved winter storm warnings up in time for Juneau, Pelican, Gustavus, Hoonah and Angoon.
The weather service said Juneau could see between 8 and 14 inches of snow by this evening, Snow is expected to start out light and fluffy before transitioning to wetter snow later tonight, meaning residents can shovel snow early before the snow becomes wet and dense.
City officials are encouraging residents to avoid unnecessary driving and to check road conditions if travel is unavoidable.
The Juneau Police Department is also asking the public to report slick intersections or dangerous road conditions to its non-emergency line.
Snow removal crews from CBJ Streets and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities have been working through the weekend to prepare for the storm.
CBJ- No significant new snowfall is expected until early next week. Avalanche risk remains elevated on Mount Juneau slide paths affecting the White Subdivision, Behrends Ave, and all neighborhoods below Mount Juneau.
This week’s historic storm has created conditions that may persist over an extended period, requiring continued awareness even without daily changes. Conditions can change quickly with little warning.
CBJ will send alerts if conditions worsen.
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF)’s avalanche hazard reduction work was completed yesterday morning.
Thane Road has reopened. DOT&PF reminds drivers not to stop in the avalanche zone and to use caution while travelling on Thane Road.
Moving forward CBJ will only issue alerts like these if conditions worsen or major changes are observed. The absence of an alert does not mean the hazard has diminished. You can find current hazard levels at bit.ly/CBJavalanche.
This is not an evacuation advisory. Residents should remain alert, have a go-bag ready, know their risk, and stay signed up for emergency alerts.
