🌄 Alaska Pulse: Rain, Risks & Community Resilience
Hey Alaska watchers! Mother Nature is reminding us she’s not taking breaks. Down in the Portage Valley, heavy rains are putting folks on alert with landslide and tsunami concerns, even closing the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center, cutting short an Airport Heights School field trip. Meanwhile, Juneau is again bracing for glacial floodwaters as Suicide Basin pours into the Mendenhall River. These aren’t distant warnings; they’re happening now.
Here’s what’s going on, what scientists are saying, and why you should care.
Key Stories
Portage Valley Flooding & Begich-Boggs Visitor Center Closure
Saturated by persistent, heavy rain, the Portage Glacier area is at increased risk for a landslide to fall into Portage Lake—and potentially trigger a local tsunami near the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center. As a precaution, Forest Service staff have been pulled from the visitor center, which is now closed and will remain so while conditions are reassessed. Tours to the glacier have been canceled. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com+2Facebook+2Juneau’s Glacial Outburst Flood Threat
In Juneau, water has surged from Suicide Basin due to glacial melt and rain, causing the Mendenhall River to approach record levels. New barriers helped prevent widespread damage, but some homes remain at risk. Residents are urged to stay alert and heed evacuation warnings. Wall Street Journal+3CBS News+3AP News+3
Why This Hits Close to Home
Safety First: The closure of Begich-Boggs and canceled glacier tours in Portage underline that recreation and tourism can have sudden, serious hazards when natural terrain is pushed to its limits.
Climate in Motion: Glacier retreat isn’t abstract—it’s reshaping landscapes, expanding risks, and forcing communities to adapt quickly.
Preparedness Pays: Juneau’s success in using barriers shows what can work. But old systems, especially around glacial outbursts and landslide zones, are under increasing pressure.
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