Video capturing the collapse of a home into floodwaters caused by a glacier lake outburst has taken the internet by storm, leaving viewers stunned. The moment was caught on camera from multiple angles, revealing the house on an eroded bank near Juneau, Alaska, sliding into the rushing water.
The spectacle unfolded due to an unprecedented surge in the Suicide Basin, leading to a massive release of water into the Mendenhall River over the weekend. Meteorologists were astonished by the staggering 14.97 feet of water recorded on Saturday night, shattering the previous 2016 record of 11.99 feet, as reported by the National Weather Service (NWS).
Suicide Basin, connected to the Mendenhall Glacier, experiences an annual cycle of water build-up and subsequent release, causing recurrent flooding. An insightful time-lapse from a monitoring camera captured the basin’s water and ice levels suddenly plummeting by several meters in the past week. The NWS anticipates the water level to return to approximately 5.9 feet.
The deluge reached areas that had been historically unaffected by flooding, prompting the Juneau Police Department to announce the loss of “at least two structures to the river” with more at risk.
Sam Nolan, who captured the heart-wrenching event on camera, shared that he watched the house teeter for over an hour. He remarked, “It was really sad to see, but all we could do was stand there and watch.”
The shocking footage, shared on social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, has amassed nearly 62,000 views. The video shows the house’s roof being swept away by the raging river, and even a neighboring block of flats succumbing to the floodwaters.
In response to the tragedy, an online fundraiser was initiated to support the affected residents. Donations nearing $11,000 have poured in, offering assistance to the homeowners who have reportedly lost not only their home but also their possessions and beloved cat, Leo.
Juneau declared a local state of emergency, ensuring aid for residents in unsafe buildings. The city also noted the damage caused to fuel tanks and hazardous material containers.
The situation was deemed highly unlikely by experts. Aaron Jacobs, a senior hydrologist at the NWS, conveyed the unprecedented nature of the incident, stating, “We didn’t even think that this was possible.”
As the community comes to terms with the shocking loss, local authorities are collaborating with the U.S. Coast Guard to address environmental concerns caused by the flooding. The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation encourages residents to report any observed spills.
