Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Officials in Alaska advised residents to evacuate the state's capital city Wednesday as a melting glacier is expected to cause major flooding.
The city and borough of Juneau announced at 10:50 a.m. EDT that it "is aware of the presence of water in certain areas" and that anyone within the flood zone of the Mendenhall River should evacuate the area.
The National Weather Service stated Wednesday that the river had crossed into a "Major Flood" stage and was expected to crest sometime around 12 p.m. EDT at a record level of nearly 17 feet.
The flooding is being caused by a "glacier-dammed lake outburst," or GLOF, which occurs when a lake dammed by ice or a glacial deposit gives way and releases heavy amounts of water into river systems further downstream.
Related
