Juneau, Alaska — Crews and residents in Alaska’s capital are in a race against time as record-breaking snowfall leaves the city running out of places to dump snow, just days before rain is expected to arrive and potentially trigger flooding and additional structural damage.
After weeks of relentless winter storms, Juneau remains buried under nearly 40 inches of snow still on the ground, with officials warning that melting snow combined with rainfall could turn an already historic snow emergency into a much larger disaster.
City overwhelmed by historic snowfall totals
Juneau’s current crisis follows an extraordinary stretch of winter weather that began just before Christmas and continued into the New Year.
December ranked as the second snowiest month on record for the city, with records dating back to 1948. In total, Juneau recorded 82 inches of snow — nearly seven feet — in December alone, which is close to an entire year’s worth of snowfall.
More than half of that snow fell in just five days, from December 27 through December 31, overwhelming city infrastructure and emergency services.
At the Juneau airport, snow depth reached 50 inches on New Year’s Eve, setting an all-time snow depth record.
Crews struggle to find places for snow removal
With roads narrowed, rooftops overloaded, and harbors clogged, the city is now facing a new challenge: there is simply nowhere left to put the snow.
City crews, contractors, and volunteers have been working around the clock to:
- Clear rooftops to prevent collapses
- Dig out vehicles buried by plows and drifting snow
- Remove snow from sunken boats and docks
- Haul away truckloads of snow from streets and public areas
But traditional snow storage areas are filled to capacity.
In an unusual move, some snow has been pushed off piers and ports into the Gastineau Channel, after Alaska’s Department of Energy granted special authorization allowing clean, freshly fallen snow to be dumped into open water.
Officials emphasized that only uncontaminated snow is being disposed of this way.
Emergency disaster declaration issued
As conditions worsened, Juneau officials issued an emergency disaster declaration on Tuesday, formally requesting assistance from the state.
Schools and public buildings were closed as snow continued to fall and crews focused on keeping essential routes open.
City leaders say the declaration is necessary to access additional resources, equipment, and personnel as the situation continues to evolve.
“This is beyond what local resources can manage alone,” officials said, citing the scale and duration of the snowfall.
Damage already widespread across the city
The crushing weight of the snowpack has already caused significant damage.
Authorities confirmed that:
- Multiple boats sank under the weight of accumulated snow
- Roofs collapsed on several homes and buildings
- Emergency crews responded to numerous calls involving structural concerns
Residents have been urged to continue clearing snow from roofs, especially flat-roofed structures that are more vulnerable to collapse.
Rain forecast raises flooding and collapse concerns
Now, forecasters say the next threat is not more snow — but rain.
According to Weather.com, soaking rain is expected to begin Thursday, falling onto an already saturated snowpack.
“That could lead to additional flooding in spots, especially in areas where drains were clogged from the snow,” forecasters warned. “It also increases the threat of roof collapses, as rain adds significant weight to the deep snowpack.”
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Officials say clogged storm drains could cause water to back up quickly, flooding streets, homes, and basements.
Residents urged to help clear drains, avoid roads
In preparation for the rain and melting snow, city officials released maps showing storm drain locations and asked residents to help clear them where it is safe to do so.
They also urged people to stay off the roads whenever possible, allowing snow removal and emergency crews to work more efficiently.
“Every cleared drain helps reduce flooding risk,” officials said.
Juneau braces for next phase of emergency
With rain on the way and snow removal efforts stretched thin, Juneau faces a critical few days ahead.
City leaders say the focus now is on:
- Preventing flooding
- Reducing roof-collapse risks
- Keeping emergency access routes open
Even as snowfall finally slows, officials caution that the danger is far from over, and residents should remain alert as conditions shift rapidly.
How is your community coping with extreme winter weather this season? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
