Avalanche evacuations advised for Juneau residents as atmospheric river slams Alaska
Evacuation advisories are in effect for all known avalanche paths in Juneau until further notice.
Atmospheric river slamming Alaska, bringing flood, avalanche risk to Panhandle
Alaska's panhandle is under a flood watch through Saturday as heavy rain melts feet of snow Juneau, causing flooding and an avalanche risk. An evacuation advisory is in effect for all avalanche paths in Juneau until further notice.
The City and Borough of Juneau has issued evacuation advisories for avalanche-prone areas as rain melts snowpack in the Alaska panhandle.
Evacuation advisories are in effect for all known avalanche paths in Juneau until further notice.
Juneau saw nearly seven feet of snow in December 2025, whereas they usually record 40–50 inches for the month.
HEAVY SNOW AND EXTREME WEATHER CAUSE SUNKEN VESSELS AND AVALANCHE RISK IN ALASKA
Avalanche in Juneau, Alaska
Avalanches are triggering evacuation advisories in areas of Alaska as an atmospheric river is passing through the area, triggering flooding and life-threatening conditions in the Alaskan Panhandle.
As of Thursday, three feet of snow was still on the ground in and around Juneau.
Because of the heavy snow being followed by heavy rain and warmer temperatures from an atmospheric river, snow has been rapidly melting.
Flood alerts are in effect across the panhandle.
Watch: Bus drives through street flooding Juneau as snow melts
Alaska's panhandle is seeing heavy rain and warmer temperatures, causing heavy snow they received in December to melt, causing flooding. Video shows a Juneau city bus driving through the flooded streets on Wednesday.
Flood watches remain in effect in Juneau through Saturday evening, while the southern half of the panhandle will be under a flood watch until Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service office in Juneau.
KNOW YOUR FLOOD TERMINOLOGY: WHAT FLOOD WATCHES, WARNINGS AND EMERGENCIES REALLY MEAN
(FOX Weather)
In Douglas, Alaska, southwest of Juneau, flooding has been reported in homes and on roads.
Meanwhile, in Juneau, 4–5 feet of ponded water was reported near an intersection in town.
Rainfall totals are expected to range from 2 to 3 inches through Sunday, with locally higher amounts approaching 4 inches possible in southern areas, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
(FOX Weather)
The city and Borough of Juneau said on Friday evening that natural avalanches had occurred on Mount Juneau and on Thane Road paths, with some coming near the city's infrastructure.
"Almost every known path on Mt. Juneau saw avalanche activity today," the city said. "While these avalanches reduce the overall snow available to produce a larger avalanche, they also smooth existing runouts and provide a clearer path for future avalanches to potentially reach infrastructure."
All city facilities in Juneau were closed on Friday and through the weekend due to the hazards.
The Juneau School District also closed on Friday to keep students and staff safe.
Several feet of snow sit on the roof of a building in Juneau weeks after heavy snow in December 2025.
(City and Borough of Juneau/Facebook / FOX Weather)
The city advised residents in evacuation advisory zones to not wait and evacuate immediately.
The American Red Cross opened an emergency shelter in Juneau for residents evacuating with nowhere to go.
Strong winds and heavy rain are expected through the weekend, increasing the risk for large avalanches, the city said.