Key Takeaways:
- Juneau, Alaska is dealing with the aftermath of a massive snowfall that dumped four feet of snow on the city
- The heavy snow has caused the collapse of at least one business roof and closed several others for snow removal
- Fred Meyer grocery store and gas station are temporarily closed due to snow removal and awning collapse
- Multiple boats have sunk at Juneau’s harbors, with dozens more having near misses
- The city’s docks and harbors staff are working around the clock to respond to reports and raise sunk vessels
- The avalanche danger remains high in all neighborhoods below Mount Juneau
Introduction to the Situation
The city of Juneau, Alaska is still reeling from the effects of a massive snowfall that dumped four feet of snow on the city. The heavy snow has caused widespread disruptions, including the collapse of at least one business roof and the closure of several others for snow removal. The snow has also caused significant damage to the city’s harbors, with multiple boats sinking and dozens more having near misses. As the city works to clear the snow and respond to the damage, residents are being asked to remain patient and understanding.
Business Closures and Damage
One of the businesses affected by the heavy snow is the Fred Meyer grocery store, which closed early on Thursday and did not reopen on Friday morning. According to Tiffany Sanders, a spokesperson for Fred Meyer, the store is temporarily closed to allow for snow removal and will reopen as soon as possible. The store’s gas station is also closed after part of its awning collapsed. The roof of the Juneau Shotokan Karate dojo in the Mendenhall Valley also collapsed on Wednesday morning, although fortunately, no one was inside the building at the time.
Harbor Damage and Response
The city’s harbors have also been severely impacted by the heavy snow, with at least nine vessels and multiple boat shelters sinking throughout the week. The city’s docks and harbors staff are working around the clock to respond to reports and are pleading with owners to check their vessels. Harbormaster Matt Creswell said that dozens of boats have had near misses and that it will be a long process to raise the sunk vessels, but staff are ready for the challenge. The process of raising the vessels is expected to take a couple of weeks.
Snow Removal and Avalanche Danger
As plowing and roof clearing continue throughout the community, the issue of where to put all the snow is becoming a significant challenge. According to City Manager Katie Koester, the snow removal process takes a long time because the snow has to be loaded into dump trucks and taken away. The city is also having challenges at the snow storage sites due to the tremendous amount of snow. The Alaska Department of Transportation reopened Thane Road on New Year’s Day after performing avalanche mitigation, but officials say the avalanche danger remains high in all neighborhoods below Mount Juneau.
Weather Forecast and Next Steps
No major snow is forecast to fall in Juneau until Monday, but temperatures are expected to drop this weekend. As the city continues to deal with the aftermath of the snowfall, residents are being asked to remain vigilant and to check on their vessels and properties. The city’s staff will continue to work around the clock to respond to reports and clear the snow, and residents are being asked to remain patient and understanding as the city works to get back to normal. The city’s efforts to clear the snow and respond to the damage will likely take several weeks, and residents can expect to see significant progress in the coming days.