Juneau flood damage less severe than feared thanks to new HESCO barriers

Juneau officials are assessing the impact of this year’s glacial outburst flood, and while some homes were affected, the damage was far less severe than feared.

About four dozen homes reported some level of flood damage, with only six classified as “major damage” by response teams.

During a Friday news conference, city leaders reflected on how different this year’s outcome was compared to previous floods.

Mayor Beth Weldon noted that when river levels began rising on Tuesday, residents were tense. By Wednesday at noon, relief was evident. “Instead of people depressed and sad bringing refuge to the roadside, you saw people mowing their lawn, walking their dog, kids playing. A few kids were even playing in the puddles left over,” Weldon said.

Officials credited the city’s new HESCO flood