Norwegian Cruise Donates $50,000 to Aid Juneau Flood Recovery

 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) announced it would donate $50,000 to help with the recent flooding in Juneau, Alaska. 

A large white Norwegian cruise ship with colorful designs on its hull sails on calm, greenish water near Juneau's mountainous landscape covered in dense greenery under a clear blue sky.

Dan Farkas, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ executive vice president, chief development officer, and general counsel, described NCL’s ties with the city. “We are deeply connected to the Juneau community, and witnessing the devastation from the recent flood has been heart-wrenching,” he said in a press release.

“Juneau is not just a destination for us; it’s a community we truly care about… Our donation is focused on providing direct financial relief to help families rebuild their lives and facilitate a fast return to normalcy,” Farkas added.

The sum has been endorsed to the Juneau Community Foundation which will handle its disbursement to affected residents.

Glacial Floods Overwhelm Juneau

Aerial view of a residential area in Juneau heavily flooded with water encroaching on houses and streets, surrounded by dense forest. In this Norwegian landscape, a few elevated areas remain dry, highlighting the urgent need for flood-relief efforts.

(Photo courtesy of Alaska National Guard)

Floodwaters surged into the capital’s northern region last Tuesday, August 6. As of Friday, they had reportedly affected over 300 homes while damaging countless vehicles. Officials described it as “unprecedented” with waters rising to historically new high

Juneau’s Deputy City Manager, Robert Barr, told CNN that no one had been injured, though some streets had up to four feet of water, possibly more. Meanwhile, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy declared the disaster to facilitate the city’s speedy response and recovery.

Where Did the Water Come From?

Streamflow at Mendenhall Lake during the previous record-high outburst flood, in 2023 (blue line), and during the new record event on August 6, 2024 (orange line). NOAA Climate.gov image, based on data from the U.S. Geological Survey.

The floodwaters originated from the Mendenhall and Suicide glaciers, which are melting at an alarming rate. Water collected in the Suicide Basin and overflowed, gushing into Mendenhall River which likewise spilled over and overwhelmed the city. 

Last week, the Suicide Basin was suddenly drained of more than 400 feet of water. It lost over 350 feet of melted ice within 24 hours from Monday to Tuesday. This climate change phenomenon is known as a glacial lake outburst flood.

They have been occurring in Juneau since 2011. This year’s floods were particularly severe as the National Weather Service reported that the river crested 15.99 feet on Tuesday, a foot higher than 2023.

Several people in military uniforms and a person in construction gear work with a bulldozer to clear debris on a residential street following flood-relief efforts. In the background, the houses and mountains of Juneau stand resilient.

(Photo courtesy of Alaska National Guard)

Residents, volunteers, and clean-up crews have spent the last few days clearing the Alaskan city of various debris, including trash, large appliances, hazardous waste, and construction materials. 

Tags: Dan Farkas, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings,  Juneau, Alaska