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Juneau: CBJ Avalanche Advisory and Community Recovery Status Update

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~ Juneau, Alaska - The City & Borough of Juneau (CBJ) has released an operational and situational update regarding the avalanche risk and community recovery efforts following the 2025-2026 Juneau Winter Storm. As a result of the storm, CBJ has issued an evacuation advisory for all known slide paths and has opened an emergency shelter at Centennial Hall.

The decision to issue the evacuation advisory was made with life safety as the highest priority. Since its opening on Friday, January 9, Centennial Hall has provided shelter to 45 individuals and approximately a dozen pets over the past two nights. CBJ is working closely with Alaska DOT&PF and avalanche professionals to monitor conditions across all known slide paths. In addition, they have invested in additional monitoring and detection tools to improve situational awareness.

As of now, the evacuation advisory remains in effect for the Behrends slide path due to very high avalanche risk. Residents are advised to stay out of this area and avoid travel and recreation in the Flume Trail area. Capital Transit will also not be making stops between the Federal Building and Bartlett Hospital until the evacuation advisory for this area is lifted.

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However, CBJ has lifted the evacuation advisory for all other known slide paths as these areas have experienced enough natural avalanche activity that forecasters no longer consider them an imminent threat. Centennial Hall will remain open as an emergency shelter while the evacuation advisory for Behrends pathway remains in effect. More closures or evacuation advisories may be issued as wet and windy weather is forecasted.

According to CBJ Avalanche Advisor John Bressette, current conditions remain unpredictable due to unusual snowpack and weather patterns in this area. He also cautioned that rising freezing levels above 3,000 feet later this week combined with heavy rain could trigger larger avalanches at higher elevations.

CBJ structural engineers and City Architect have been working continuously for more than a week to prioritize schools and critical infrastructure. With the help of hundreds of CBJ staff, contractors, and emergency response workers, over 3 million pounds of snow have been removed from CBJ facilities where roof loads approached design capacity. All Juneau School District schools have been cleared for occupancy and all CBJ facilities have been inspected and approved for occupancy. As a result, all pools, libraries, and recreation facilities will reopen and residents are encouraged to return to these community spaces.

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CBJ will continue to monitor public facilities for any impacts from the storm. In terms of infrastructure and life safety efforts, CBJ Streets crews are working to locate and clear drains to reduce flooding hazards caused by rain on top of deep snow. Residents are advised to contact CBJ Streets at (907) 586-5256 before 4:00 p.m. for any road drainage or flooding issues. After 4:00 p.m., they can contact JPD's non-emergency line at (907) 586-0600.

Ensuring access to fire hydrants is also a critical life safety priority for CBJ as they have approximately 1,300 fire hydrants in the borough. Clearing these hydrants requires heavy equipment followed by manual shoveling. CBJ staff and contractors will be working tomorrow, January 12, to clear remaining hydrants. They also thank residents who have worked to keep hydrants near their homes accessible during these record-breaking snow conditions.

Residents are reminded to remain vigilant and avoid hazardous areas while also signing up for CBJ Alerts at bit.ly/CBJalerts for any updates or changes in the situation. For more information or questions, they can contact the CBJ Emergency Programs department at (907) 586-0371.

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