CBJ: All evacuation advisories lifted, risk level remains elevated
- Mark Sabbatini
- Jan 14
- 3 min read
Winds in Juneau peak near 60 mph, top 80 mph elsewhere in Southeast Alaska; Thane Road reopens after being closed overnight
By Mark Sabbatini
Juneau Independent
All avalanche evacuation advisories have been lifted as of 10 a.m. Wednesday, although there is still an elevated risk of snowslides, according to the City and Borough of Juneau.
Future evacuation advisories are possible, and "CBJ is actively monitoring and assessing avalanche risk for all slide paths and will provide updates if conditions change," the city reported at its emergency updates website.
Evacuation advisories for all known slide paths were enacted late last week due to heavy rain following record snowstorms, although most were cancelled on Sunday night as rain tapered. The Behrends slide path beneath Mount Juneau remained in effect and CBJ issued an alert Tuesday about significantly increased risk due to heavy rain and wind forecast overnight.
However, no major snowslides occurred, according to a CBJ update at 6:40 a.m. Wednesday.
Thane Road is open again as of Wednesday morning after being closed overnight, but "drivers are reminded not to stop in the avalanche zone," the Alaska Department of Transporation and Public Facilities stated in a post shortly after 8 a.m.
Overnight winds peaked at 58 miles per hour downtown and 56 miles per hour at Juneau International Airport, while exceeding 80 mph in some parts of Southeast Alaska, according to a National Weather Service Juneau update at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.
A high wind warning has been cancelled for Juneau, but remains in effect until later on Wednesday for Skagway, Haines, Yakutat and Elfin Cove/Pelican, according to the weather service.
"Many areas of the panhandle reported gusts to 60+ mph overnight with some reports of damage from falling trees," the update notes.
A flood advisory remains in effect until 9 a.m. for Jordan Creek near the Jordan Creek Center.
"Persistent warm temperatures combined with recent rain on existing snowpack has lead to gradual rises in some streams," the advisory updated at 3:37 a.m. Wednesday notes. "A fast moving system brought additional rainfall, continued warm temperatures, and rising snow levels to the Juneau area Tuesday night, with moderate to locally heavy rainfall coming primarily in two waves. The first wave brought around 0.50" to 1.00" while the second wave is currently ongoing through early Wednesday morning. Rain rates are expected to diminish during the day Wednesday."
In Juneau, a power outage out the road was reported at 9:25 p.m. Tuesday by Alaska Electric Light & Power
"The crew removed two trees from the line out the road and power is now back on," an update posted online at 11:27 p.m. noted. "High winds continue throughout the night so we might see more outages before the night is through."
The weather service forecast calls for rain possibly mixed with snow Wednesday and Thursday, with rain on Friday as temperatures warm slightly, then a chance of rain and snow during the weekend before precipitation ends Monday.
All Juneau public schools are open, according to Kristin Bartlett, chief of staff for the Juneau School District, but there will be no bus service Wednesday at the following sites:
• 5th Street in Douglas
• Satellite streets in Switzer Trailer Park
• Glacier Avenue/Glacier Highway between Highland Drive and Bartlett Regional Hospital
• Thane Road
CBJ announced Tuesday the municipal recycling center in Lemon Creek will be closed until at least Friday "due to damage to operational equipment caused by the heavy precipitation from the winter storm."
"CBJ RecycleWorks staff are working on repairs and hope to open to the public on Saturday, January 17," the notice states. "Staff will provide notice and open the facility as soon as possible if repairs are completed early."
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.
