Key Takeaways
- The City and Borough of Juneau has implemented a new avalanche communications strategy to help residents understand and respond to urban avalanche danger.
- The city is using a "ready, set, go" system to convey avalanche risk, rather than a numerical scale from 1 to 5.
- Residents in hazard zones are advised to stay informed, pack a bag, and be prepared to evacuate in the event of an elevated avalanche risk.
- The city is relying on forecasts from the Alaska Department of Transportation and the Coastal Alaska Avalanche Center, rather than conducting its own field evaluations.
- Emergency alerts are being sent via cell phone notifications, and residents are urged to sign up for these alerts to stay informed.
Introduction to Urban Avalanches
The City and Borough of Juneau has launched a new initiative to warn residents about urban avalanches, in an effort to help those living in the downtown avalanche zone understand how to respond to the danger. This new approach comes as the city experiences a significant amount of snowfall, with over four feet of snow falling in just four days. The Alaska Department of Transportation has closed Thane Road and observed several small avalanches in the area, highlighting the need for effective communication and action.
New Avalanche Communications Strategy
The city’s new avalanche communications strategy involves a "ready, set, go" system, which is designed to help residents understand what to do in the event of an avalanche warning. This system replaces the previous numerical scale from 1 to 5, which was geared towards backcountry recreation and did not provide clear guidance for residents living in an avalanche path. Ryan O’Shaughnessy, the emergency programs manager for the City and Borough of Juneau, explains that the new system focuses on the potential downhill impact of an avalanche, and provides clear instructions for residents to follow.
Understanding the "Ready, Set, Go" System
The "ready, set, go" system is designed to be simple and easy to follow. When the city issues an advisory saying there’s an elevated avalanche risk, residents in hazard zones should get "ready" by staying up-to-date with weather conditions. When the city issues an evacuation notice, residents should get "set" by packing a bag and preparing to stay with friends or family outside of the avalanche zone. Finally, if an evacuation notice is issued, residents should "go" immediately, as it is too dangerous to trigger avalanches above the Behrends neighborhood.
Emergency Alerts and Communication
The city is sending emergency alerts via cell phone notifications, which residents can opt into. O’Shaughnessy urges people to sign up for these alerts, as they provide the fastest and most effective way to stay informed about hazard awareness and any protective actions that may be required. While the city won’t rule out going door-to-door to warn residents, as it has in the past, text alerts are a more efficient and effective way to reach people in a timely manner.
Reliance on Professional Forecasts
The city is no longer evaluating snowpack in the field to issue an independent avalanche forecast. Instead, O’Shaughnessy said the city is relying on forecasts prepared by professionals at the Alaska Department of Transportation and the Coastal Alaska Avalanche Center. This approach allows the city to benefit from the expertise and resources of these organizations, and provides a more accurate and reliable assessment of avalanche risk.
Current Weather Conditions and Avalanche Danger
The National Weather Service’s winter storm warning ended at noon on Thursday, and snowfall is expected to taper off. However, the avalanche danger remains, and residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions. With over 80 inches of snow having fallen at Juneau International Airport this December, making it the city’s second snowiest month ever recorded so far, it is essential for residents to remain vigilant and prepared for potential avalanche risks.
