Juneau Weighs Avalanche, Flood and Roof-Collapse Risks as Rain Hits a Historic Snowpack

A city still digging out, now facing rain on top of deep snow

Juneau, Alaska, entered the new year under the weight of an unusually heavy snow burden—and then encountered a new complication: rain arriving on top of an already deep snowpack. That combination has sharpened concerns about avalanches, flooding, and structural strain on buildings. Officials have urged residents to take precautions while crews and volunteers continue working through the impacts of a historic late-December storm cycle.

In the days before the rain arrived, Juneau had been racing to dig out from a fresh round of heavy snow. More than 30 inches of snow was already on the ground after back-to-back storms, and teams of workers and volunteers were shoveling rooftops, digging out vehicles, addressing sunken boats, and hauling out truckloads of snow. The cleanup has also run into a practical constraint: the city has been running out of places to put all the snow.

The shift from snow to rain does not erase the existing problems; it layers new ones on top of them. A deep snowpack can behave differently once rain begins to soak into it, and the city’s response has had to account for multiple risks at the same time—runoff moving into streets, heavier loads on roofs, and unstable snow on slopes above town.

Avalanche warnings followed quickly by small slides

Avalanche concerns moved to the forefront when two small avalanches were triggered above Juneau on Friday, only an hour after officials issued an evacuation advisory. No injuries were reported. At a news conference later that day, officials described the small slides as a net good for the community because they reduced the danger of potentially larger avalanches to come.

While the slides were characterized as small, the timing underscored how sensitive the snowpack can be, especially as weather conditions change. Officials’ comments suggested that releasing some unstable snow could help reduce the likelihood of a larger, more dangerous event later—an important point as rain and melting can alter snow stability and add stress to already loaded slopes.

For residents, the episode served as a reminder that avalanche risk is not only a backcountry issue. When steep terrain sits above neighborhoods and travel corridors, public warnings and evacuation advisories become part of routine safety planning during extreme winter weather.

Flood watches and early signs of water in the streets

Alongside avalanche concerns, flood risk has been building as meltwater and rain combine. Flood watches were in effect across the Alaska Panhandle into Saturday night, and the National Weather Service said heavy rain was possible. Rain falling on deep snow can quickly change conditions on the ground, particularly when drainage systems are blocked by snow and ice.

Juneau has already seen signs of flooding as melting snow begins to move into streets and low-lying areas. In a social media post, the city shared video showing a bus navigating through a flooded street. The footage offered an early look at what can happen when runoff outpaces the ability of storm drains and channels to move water away.

In this kind of rain-on-snow pattern, flooding risk is not limited to the amount of rainfall alone. The existing snowpack can contribute additional water as it melts, and the problem can be compounded when storm drains are clogged or buried. That is why officials have emphasized steps that can improve drainage before conditions worsen.

Why rain on snow can be a structural threat

Deep snow totals following the late-December storms have already caused damage, and rain adds a new dimension to the danger. Senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman explained that rain falling on top of the snowpack makes it significantly heavier. That added weight is expected to increase the likelihood of more roof collapses over the next few days, especially on flat roofs.

The concern builds on impacts already seen during the late-December storm cycle, when the crushing weight of snow sank boats and caused roofs to cave in on multiple homes and buildings. Even if snow depth does not appear to increase dramatically, rain can soak into existing snow, increasing density and load. For buildings already stressed by heavy accumulation, additional weight can be critical.

In practical terms, the hazard is twofold: the city is managing the immediate consequences of heavy snowfall, and it is also trying to prevent further damage as the same snowpack becomes heavier and more waterlogged.

Closures and calls to limit travel

The conditions have disrupted daily life across Juneau. Schools and city buildings were closed Friday, reflecting both the hazards posed by the weather and the need to keep roads and facilities clear while crews work.

Officials also encouraged residents to stay off the roads as crews prepared for melting snow and rain. With snow removal ongoing and flooding possible, fewer vehicles on the road can reduce hazards and allow emergency and public works teams to operate more effectively. The message has been consistent: limiting travel during the most hazardous periods can help keep routes open for response and cleanup.

Snow removal becomes a logistics problem when storage space runs out

Beyond the immediate safety threats, Juneau has faced a basic logistical challenge: what to do with the sheer volume of snow. With limited space to pile it, some snow was being shoved off piers and ports into the Gastineau Channel after Alaska’s Department of Energy gave special authorization for clean, freshly fallen snow to be dumped in open water.

This step highlights the scale of the cleanup. Snow removal is not only about clearing streets and access points; it becomes a storage and transportation problem when accumulation is measured in feet and storms arrive in quick succession. When staging areas fill up, each additional round of snowfall tightens the constraints on where the next truckload can go.

At the same time, the need to keep critical areas functioning—roads, public facilities, and access points—remains constant. The extraordinary volume of snow has pushed Juneau to use unusual measures to keep pace with the removal effort.

Emergency declarations underscore the cumulative impact

The severity of the conditions prompted official emergency actions. Gov. Mike Dunleavy declared a state disaster Wednesday, one day after Juneau officials announced an emergency disaster declaration and requested state assistance.

These declarations reflect the cumulative impacts of the storms and the ongoing risks posed by the weather pattern. They also indicate that local resources may need reinforcement as the community manages snow removal, potential flooding, and avalanche concerns at the same time.

Record-setting snow: what made this stretch unusual

The current challenges follow record snow in Juneau during Christmas and into the New Year. December was the second snowiest month on record in Juneau, with records dating back to 1948.

Juneau picked up 82 inches of snowfall—almost 7 feet—more than half of which fell in just five days from Dec. 27 to Dec. 31. The amount was described as almost an entire year’s worth of snow compressed into less than a week.

The intensity of the snowfall had immediate consequences. The crushing weight sank boats and caused roofs to cave in on multiple homes and buildings. On New Year’s Eve, 50 inches of snow at the airport set an all-time snow depth record.

Those numbers help explain why the arrival of rain is so concerning. Rain is not landing on a modest winter base; it is falling onto a snowpack that has already reached levels associated with structural damage and significant disruptions.

Public guidance focuses on drainage, travel, and reducing preventable risks

As rain and melting increase runoff, city officials have emphasized steps residents can take that may reduce flood impacts. Officials released maps of storm drains and encouraged residents to help clear them to prevent flooding. Keeping storm drains open can help water move away from streets and properties as snow melts and rain falls.

Officials have also repeated calls for residents to stay off the roads as crews work to prepare for melting snow and rain. In a period when crews are shoveling rooftops, hauling snow, and responding to localized flooding, reducing unnecessary traffic can help keep operations moving.

Juneau’s situation is being shaped by several interacting factors:

• a deep snowpack from back-to-back storms, including record December totals;
• limited space for snow storage as removal continues;
• the onset of melting and runoff moving into streets and low-lying areas;
• the prospect of heavy rain falling onto the snowpack;
• avalanche concerns highlighted by small slides following an evacuation advisory;
• structural risks as rain increases the weight of existing snow, particularly on flat roofs.

These overlapping pressures have already led to closures, emergency declarations, and active public messaging about safety. The combination of heavy snow and incoming rain is not a single-issue event; it is a chain of related hazards that can reinforce each other.

What officials are watching as conditions evolve

As the rain arrives, Juneau’s immediate priorities remain focused on reducing avalanche risk where possible, preventing flooding by keeping drainage routes open, and addressing the structural dangers associated with heavier snow loads. The small avalanches that followed the evacuation advisory occurred without injuries, but they serve as a reminder that conditions can change quickly in a rain-on-snow pattern.

Juneau’s response has combined immediate safety steps with longer-term cleanup. The community has worked to remove snow from roofs and public areas, while officials have issued advisories, supported closures, and encouraged residents to help clear storm drains. The special authorization to dump clean snow into open water reflects the extraordinary volume of accumulation and the need to keep critical areas functioning.

With flood watches in effect across the region into Saturday night and heavy rain possible, the coming days will test how well Juneau can manage runoff, avoid additional structural damage, and respond to any further avalanche activity. For now, the city remains in a posture of caution—trying to stay ahead of a weather-driven situation that has already delivered record snow and is now adding rain to the equation.