A dramatic video capturing the collapse of a house into floodwaters caused by a glacier lake outburst has taken the internet by storm, leaving viewers in awe. The footage, captured from various angles, shows the home on an eroded bank near Juneau, Alaska, sliding into the rushing water.
This spectacle occurred due to an unprecedented surge in Suicide Basin, resulting in a massive release of water into the Mendenhall River over the weekend. Meteorologists were astounded by the record-breaking water level of 14.97 feet recorded on Saturday night, surpassing the previous 2016 record of 11.99 feet, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
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Suicide Basin, connected to the Mendenhall Glacier, undergoes an annual cycle of water accumulation and subsequent release, leading to recurring flooding. A time-lapse from a monitoring camera revealed a significant drop in water and ice levels in the basin over the past week. The NWS expects the water level to return to around 5.9 feet.
The flooding extended to areas historically unaffected by such events, prompting the Juneau Police Department to report the loss of “at least two structures to the river,” with more at risk.
Sam Nolan, who documented the heart-wrenching incident, shared that he watched the house teeter for over an hour. He expressed, “It was really sad to see, but all we could do was stand there and watch.”
The shocking video, shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), has garnered nearly 62,000 views. The footage depicts the house’s roof being swept away by the raging river and even a neighboring apartment complex succumbing to the floodwaters.
In response to the tragedy, an online fundraiser has been launched to aid the affected residents. Donations of nearly $11,000 have poured in, offering support to homeowners who have not only lost their residence but also their belongings and cherished cat, Leo.
Juneau declared a local state of emergency to provide assistance to residents in unsafe structures. The city also noted damage to fuel tanks and hazardous material containers.
Experts deemed the situation highly unlikely. Aaron Jacobs, a senior hydrologist at the NWS, highlighted the unprecedented nature of the incident, stating, “We didn’t even think that this was possible.”
As the community grapples with the devastating loss, local authorities are collaborating with the U.S. Coast Guard to address environmental concerns stemming from the flooding. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation urges residents to report any observed spills.
