Evacuations in Alaska after glacial melt raises fears of record flooding in Juneau

Meltwater is escaping from a basin that is dammed by a glacier - prompting fears of a deluge in state capital Juneau.

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The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Juneau has issued a flood warning as glacial outburst water flows into Mendenhall River, putting homes in the area at risk.

For days, local officials have warned residents they may be forced to evacuate. On Tuesday, they confirmed water had begun escaping the ice dam and flooding was expected in the coming days.

The glacier, a popular tourist attraction, is 12 miles (19km) from Juneau.

Water levels reached 9.85ft (3m) on Tuesday, below major flooding levels which begin at 14ft, the NWS said. But by Wednesday morning they were above 16ft, which is considered a crest.