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UPDATE: Thane Road is open again to traffic, according to the City and Borough of Juneau's emergency programs manager.
However, avalanche danger remains high and will for the next 48 hours, Tom Mattice, who also forecasts avalanches for the city, stated in a urban avalanche advisory.
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Around midnight Wednesday, an avalanche large enough to reach the tide line ripped down the side of Mount Roberts and across Thane Road, blocking all traffic according to a release from the Juneau Police Department.
Since the incident, further investigation into the size of the avalanche was done from the Douglas Boat Harbor. According to a release from the JPD, the avalanche appeared to have come down the chute that is historically most active and the snow and debris had reached the tide line. The depth and width of the avalanche is being determined this morning, Thursday, according to the release.
JPD said that the Alaska Department of Transportation will be responding to clear the area as soon as it is safe to do so.
A second avalanche has repordedly slid down the slopes of Mount Juneau, said Juneau Empire Reporter Klas Stolpe. He said the slide occurred at the Alaska Electric Light & Power Pump Station along the Flume Trail past Basin Road. City and Borough of Juneau Avalanche Forecaster Tom Mattice is currently on his way to investigate. Homeowners said the slide came to their back doors.
In the most recent avalanche forecast, published on the city website, Mattice stated avalanche danger remains "high" and the likelihood of avalanches occuring is "likely." This forecast is in effect until 7 a.m. tomorrow, Friday.
A joint release from the city and the U.S. Forest Service stated that Juneau residents should avoid the backcountry and trails in the area due to the likelihood of an avalanche. Areas of note include, but are not limited to, the Flume, Perseverance, Mount Roberts, Mount Juneau, Dan Moller and Dupont trails.The public is urged to avoid all avalanche terrain for at least 48 hours. For current avalanche conditions and additional information, go online to juneau.org/avalanche.
There have been no reports of persons or property being injured or damaged as a result of the slides.
Please check back for updates.
Comments (10)
Add commenttunnel
That area needs a tunnel. It's a matter of time before someone gets caught in that.
someone already did get caught
I remember one year the avalanche came down and buried a DOT truck (?) with the driver still in it. Unfortunately he died. Yes it could happen again. Life in Alaska . . . be prepared.
Build a ferry!
Build a ferry!
Why fix the problem?
Juneau is so quaint. An avalanche shed like every other mountainous snowy location would be too simple.
Why fix it when you can argue those rainy/snowy days away? Build a ferry terminal at Sheep Creek, spend the night at a friend, just walk around the avalanche at low tide and so on. Doesn't it make more sense to blast away with a howitzer than to fix it? Particularly when you can get away with skipping the most likely days for the avalanche occuring?
Any other suggestions?
Next week -- lets talk about whether or not AEL&P really fixed the power lines to Snettisham or are we simply running off of diesel?
blasting?
whats up with all the loud booming in the juneau area?
You know this will end up a
You know this will end up a terrain park for skiers/snowboarders come spring time.
Beat me to it Barnard.
Beat me to it Barnard.
Could have been prevented
If only we had an avalanche forecaster on staff.....
Build an Avalanche Shed
Hope no one is trapped! Maddog - thanks for proposing a simple solution. Will it take one person or a whole family dying before an avalanche shed is built? What is one life worth, much less the savings from not having to blast and clear the road every year putting our DOT workers in danger as well.
@ ima49er, akgreyfox
Juneau has an excellent forecaster on staff from everything I have heard. I understand that he may have been on vacation this week though. No worries though these high paid experts never stay away for long.
The simple solution is good for Thane which is not considered a part of the CBJ (except for tax purposes) -- the more complex solution is what to do with Downtown on the hill... there is a famous photo during Overstreet's tenure as Mayor in National Geographic that would make most people who live Downtown sell and move to the Valley.