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Juneau declares disaster after record snow; shelters, avalanche monitoring and roof removals continue
Summary
City Manager Kester said Juneau issued a disaster declaration Jan. 6 after heavy snow overloaded municipal facilities, triggering evacuations, a shelter at Centennial Hall and a large mobilization of contractors and engineered roof shoveling; avalanche risk remains for the Barron subdivision.
City Manager Kester told the Juneau City and Borough Assembly on Jan. 12 that the city issued a disaster declaration on Jan. 6 after record snow and related roof-snow-load concerns overwhelmed municipal resources and raised avalanche risk.
Kester said the governor followed with a state declaration that opened state resources and mobilized the State Emergency Operations Center. "We issue a declaration when our own resources have been overwhelmed," Kester said, noting concerns about snow loads on public facilities prompted the request for state assistance.
The city evacuated a known slide path on Jan. 8 and established a shelter at Centennial Hall; the shelter census at its peak was "just under 50" people and…
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