High winds increasing avalanche risk on Thane Road prompt extended emergency road closure
- Jasz Garrett
- 17 hours ago
- 2 min read
Strong winds make it more likely that natural avalanches reach the roadway, DOT says; reevaluation scheduled for Wednesday morning
By Jasz Garrett
Juneau Independent
This is a developing story.
Thane Road remains closed at the avalanche gates due to an emergency closure triggered by rapidly increasing ridgetop winds, according to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
No one was within the designated avalanche area at the time of a natural avalanche on Tuesday morning, according to Sonny Mauricio, a public information officer with DOT. Capital City Fire/Rescue Assistant Fire Chief Sam Russell said in an interview that the department had not responded to any incidents as of Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.
Thane Road is scheduled to remain closed overnight with a re-evaluation on Wednesday at 10 a.m. The road had been closed since 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, with a planned avalanche hazard reduction at 9 a.m. DOT was unable to perform its reduction mission this morning due to high winds. Several natural avalanches have occurred since this morning, Mauricio said, with some debris reaching the roadway during an avalanche at 11:40 a.m.
"These winds increased significantly earlier than forecasted, to the point at which avalanche hazard reduction became unfeasible using available methods," the DOT notice states. "Strong ridgetop winds are rapidly transporting new snow, which increases the likelihood of a natural avalanche reaching the roadway. Because these winds are forecasted to increase throughout the day, the road must remain closed for the safety of the traveling public."
The fire department reiterated current conditions present a serious risk to both the public and emergency responders, and advised against bypassing the closure in a subsequent social media post.
The DOT notice added if a natural avalanche occurs, an extended closure may be necessary to safely remove any debris reaching the roadway. That potential debris removal will be weather-dependent.
A public safety advisory of increasing avalanche hazard was posted by DOT last week, warning that heavy and continuous snowfall at higher elevations increased avalanche risks. Residents can visit the City and Borough of Juneau’s emergency management site for personal and household preparedness details. They can also check road updates at 511.alaska.gov.
• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or (907) 723-9356.
