Flood preparations, Army Corp Mitigation Updates

From the capital city, I'm Grace Dumas, and here are the stories we're following this hour. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to seek proposals this month for a permanent solution to Juno's annual glacial outburst flooding. Assistant Secretary Adam Tell said Thursday the Corps wants private companies and the public to propose ways to drain suicide basin before it can produce a catastrophic flood. Tell said the Corps believes removing water from the basin is the best long-term solution, but wants to consider a range of technologies. The request for proposals is expected after this year's flood. The Corps previously estimated a tunnel or lake tap could cost between $613 million and $1 billion. A local mining executive has proposed a plan that could potentially cut that cost in half. Meanwhile, the next flood is approaching. The National Weather Service expects suicide basin to fill in the next three days with a release typically occurring within a week. Tells said the risk of the Mendenhall River overtopping Juno's Hesco, flood barriers remains about the same as last year. When the court estimated the risk was at a 50-50. The basin is almost full. Once the basin becomes full and gets to 1350, folks can expect to get an alert on their phones. That'll be kind of that loud, sort of jarring alert, sort of siren that comes out of your phone for just a minute. And that'll let people know that the basin has become full. That was CBJ Emergency Programs Manager Ryan O'Shaughnessy. Officials also recommend packing a go bag with essentials, planning evacuation routes, and moving valuables and hazardous household materials to higher ground. You can find the evacuation route closest to you up on our website at kynyradio.com, as well as temporary parking locations. If an evacuation becomes necessary, the emergency shelter will be located at Floyd Dryden Middle School and operated by the American Red Cross. Capital Transit will assist with transportation for residents who need help reaching the shelter, including those living at Riverview Senior Living and Trillium Landing. We're optimistic and we have a tremendous amount of confidence in the HESCO barriers, but it's not something to bet your life on. And so that's why we're really encouraging folks who live in the hazard area to evacuate and go ahead and heed that evacuation advisory. The city says residents should monitor updates as suicide basin approaches capacity. Once the National Weather Service determines the basin is full, evacuation advisories will be issued through text alerts. email, social media, and other communication channels. If the basin begins to release, a flood warning will be issued and first responders will provide in-person evacuation notices in affected neighborhoods. Officials remind residents not to drive or walk through floodwaters and to wait for an official all clear before returning home after the event.

Juno Animal Control has expanded its safety program to help residents protect pets during flood season, offering temporary boarding and support as the city coordinates evacuations. The program typically used for arrests, hospitals, and domestic violence situations now includes disaster response. Juno Animal Control Director Jim Jordan Bales said animals must be current on vaccinations and treated for fleas and worms. Bale said 18 animals were sheltered during last year's flood. The city provides space and cages at Floyd Dryden for evacuees who bring pets and officers post-found animal notices to local groups to aid reunification. Residents finding displaced animals can hold them for up to 24 hours before they are considered stolen property. Owners are urged to evacuate early and prepare pet supplies to reduce pets stress during emergencies. A lot of people begin to panic. Your dogs are intuitive. they pick up on you know feelings of fear and distress and in turn feel that fear and the stress prepping beforehand having a go bag making sure you have food and water not only for your house but for pets and evacuating safely before it is the rough. A federal buyout program for Juno's flood-prone-view drive neighborhood won't be completed before this year's expected Glacial Lake Outburst Flood. The Natural Resources Conservation Service has extended the CBJ deadline to May 1st, 27. The program was originally expected to be completed within 220 days of federal approval last year. The buyout would cover 18 eligible properties at imminent risk. From flooding, the federal government would pay 75% of the cost, while the city is responsible for the remaining 25%, estimated at up to $6 million. The city is now paying for property appraisals and environmental entitle work. Homeowners will receive cost estimates before deciding whether to participate. Meanwhile, some view drive residents have built their own berms, raised their homes, or taken other measures to prepare for another flood. The city says appraisals are underway with an update expected at an assembly committee of the whole meeting, August 31st. Golden North Salmon Derby wrapped up over the weekend. That story next when news of the North continues. Golden North Salmon Derby wrapped up over the weekend. Here's the latest leaderboard. Patrick Dreyer is in first place with a 26.2 pound king salmon caught at Ocknew on August 7th. Oliver Dreyer is second with a 19.5 pound king followed by Ivan Odenheimer and Dylan Milka, who are tied at 18.4 pounds. A former Juno Fire Captain has been convicted of assaulting his 12-year-old stepdaughter during an incident at the family home last summer. In a story by K2O, Brent Clancy was found guilty of two counts of assault, two counts of assault when a child is present and violating a protective order. He is scheduled to be sentenced this Thursday and faces up to five years in prison. His attorney argued the incident did not constitute a crime and pointed to a lack of visible injuries.

Clancy no longer works for Capitol City Fire and Rescue. Alaska's third special session on the proposed Alaska LNG project reaches its midpoint tomorrow, but lawmakers still don't have a bill from Governor Mike Dunleavy. The 30-day special session began on the 27th of July, making Tuesday the 16th day. The House and Senate are scheduled to hold brief technical sessions where lawmakers cannot take official action on legislation. Mike Dunleavy called the session in an effort to advance the Gasline Project before he leaves office in December. His administration has not said when it will introduce a bill. Senate President Gary Stevens said that he had what he called promising discussions with Mike Dunleavy, but added that lawmakers have not seen the final legislation. The governor has previously proposed major tax breaks for the project's developers, arguing they're needed to make the gas line economically viable. While lawmakers generally support the project itself, some have resisted the proposed incentives, saying they need more reliable information about the project's costs and potential profits. The special session ends on the 25th. You may have seen this heartwarming story on Juno Community Collective. A Juno man and his one-year-old Husky mix are now recovering after a more than 12-hour ordeal on Thunder Mountain. Steve Burns and his dog Bandit went hiking on Thunder Mountain and Bandit escaped after becoming distracted by a marmot hole near the summit. Burns searched through the night and eventually heard Bandit howling from a steep ledge about 2,700 feet up the mountain. Some residents could even hear them from their... neighborhood. He reached the dog Wednesday morning by climbing up from below. They made their way back toward the summit in heavy rain, and according to his story by the Juno Independent, Burns said he became hypothermic and Bandit was exhausted. Juno Mountain Rescue says its priority is human safety and strongly discouraged people from putting themselves in danger to rescue a pet. Now you're up to date with News of the North. I'm Grace Dumas.