On January 9, 2025, residents of Juneau, Alaska, faced an evacuation advisory due to multiple small avalanches triggered by heavy rainfall. The City & Borough of Juneau issued this advisory for those living in known slide paths, particularly downtown and along Thane Road.
Evacuation Advisory and Community Response
Ezra Strong, a local resident, was taking a walk in the rain when he learned of the situation. Despite the advisory, he decided to stay in his home on Gruening Avenue, citing his property’s protection from potential slides due to a rock wall. He expressed confidence given his previous experiences with similar weather events.
While some residents opted to shelter at nearby friends’ houses or at Centennial Hall, the designated emergency shelter provided by the city and the American Red Cross, others like Strong chose to remain in their homes.
Emergency Shelter Setup
- Centennial Hall serves as the primary emergency shelter.
- Managed by the Red Cross of Alaska and city officials.
- Prepared to accommodate up to 150 evacuees.
- Approximately 30 residents registered for shelter by the early afternoon.
Britt Tonnessen, a community disaster program manager for the Red Cross, noted the organization had been preparing for a possible evacuation for over a week. She highlighted the importance of safe shelter, given the history of fatal landslides and avalanches in the past decade.
Avalanche Conditions and Local Updates
John Bressette, the new Avalanche Advisor, addressed the media in an online press conference, explaining that the occurrence of smaller avalanches can actually mitigate risks. The reduction in snow load can prevent larger, more dangerous avalanches from occurring.
The Alaska Department of Transportation confirmed multiple small avalanches along Thane Road and expects further slides as rain and warming conditions persist. The road might remain closed for several days to ensure community safety.
Residents are urged to evacuate if they live in avalanche-prone areas or if their roofs are at risk of collapsing under snow loads. As the evening approaches, conditions are likely to worsen, necessitating caution and preparedness among the Juneau populace.
