Juneau, Alaska — A relentless winter storm buried parts of Alaska’s capital under record-breaking snowfall, leaving nearly 2 million pounds of heavy, waterlogged snow piled on the roof of a local elementary school and triggering a five-day, citywide emergency cleanup effort involving more than 130 people.
City officials say the extraordinary storm dumped nearly seven feet of snow between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, setting a new local record and straining infrastructure across Juneau.
School Relocated as Safety Concerns Grow
The extreme conditions forced swift action at Mendenhall River Community School, where officials determined the weight of the snow posed a serious structural risk.
As a precaution, students were relocated to Thunder Mountain Middle School around midday on January 8, according to city officials. The move allowed crews to begin large-scale snow removal without putting students and staff in harm’s way.
“Safety was our top priority as crews worked to reduce the risk posed by the weight of the snow,” officials said.
Roof Clearing Effort Expands Rapidly
The snow removal operation began Thursday afternoon, with a 20-person crew starting work at approximately 3:20 p.m. local time. Crews initially focused on clearing the school’s gym roof before moving across the rest of the building over the weekend.
As snowfall compacted and grew heavier, the effort intensified. By Sunday, the operation had expanded to 134 workers, according to the City and Borough of Juneau.
Crews continued working in shifts until the final snow was cleared from the school grounds on Monday.
Grueling Conditions Push Crews and Equipment
Officials described the snow as exceptionally heavy and wet, making the cleanup physically demanding and time-consuming.
Throughout the operation:
- Hundreds of shovels were used, with some breaking under the strain
- Heavy equipment, buckets, and ice cleats were deployed
- Crews worked long hours in hazardous winter conditions
Despite the challenges, officials say the coordinated effort prevented potential structural damage and ensured the school could safely reopen.
“We truly thank the teams that worked so hard on this effort, and so many others,” the city said in a message shared on social media.
Avalanche Threats Add to Ongoing Hazards
The school cleanup came as Juneau continued to face elevated avalanche risks tied to an ongoing atmospheric river impacting the region.
City officials confirmed that natural avalanches occurred on Mount Juneau and along Thane Road paths late last week, prompting evacuations and heightened monitoring.
Due to the risks:
- All city facilities were closed over the weekend
- The Juneau School District closed schools on Friday to protect students and staff
Read Also: Freeze Threat Forecast for Florida as Powerful Cold Front Drives Sharp Southeast Cooldown
Evacuation Advisory Still in Effect
As of the latest update, an Evacuation Advisory remains in place for the Behrends Slide Path area of Juneau. Officials warn that rain and freezing levels rising to around 4,000 feet could further destabilize snowpacks on surrounding slopes.
“Conditions remain dynamic, and residents should continue to stay alert,” officials cautioned.
Community Effort Prevents Worse Outcomes
City leaders say the massive cleanup highlights the importance of rapid coordination and community response during extreme weather events.
Key takeaways from the storm include:
- Record snowfall exceeding six feet in days
- Structural safety risks from heavy, wet snow
- Large-scale emergency response involving more than 130 workers
- Ongoing avalanche and evacuation concerns
While cleanup at the school is complete, officials emphasize that winter hazards remain a concern as weather patterns continue to fluctuate.
Have you ever experienced snowfall this extreme where you live? Share how your community handles major winter storms in the comments below.
