Alaska Governor Announces “State Disaster Declaration” As Putin Is Set To Visit

This is interesting timing.

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has declared a state disaster declaration just days before Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit the state to meet with President Trump.

Dunleavy has made the declaration as a response to an imminent threat of flooding that is supposed to hit Juneau from a glacier lake outburst.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued a state disaster declaration Monday as a result of the "imminent threat of catastrophic flooding from a glacier lake outburst flood (GLOF)" in the Juneau area. It would mark the third straight year of serious glacier-related flooding in Juneau pic.twitter.com/6hg37zn2Az

— Blue Media (@BlueMedia499225) August 12, 2025

CBS News reported more on Governor Mike Dunleavy’s declaration:

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued a state disaster declaration Monday as a result of the “imminent threat of catastrophic flooding from a glacier lake outburst flood (GLOF)” in the Juneau area. It would mark the third straight year of serious glacier-related flooding in Juneau, the state capital, in extreme southeastern Alaska.

The flooding would be associated with Suicide Basin, a side basin of the Mendenhall Glacier, a news release announcing the governor’s disaster declaration said.

“Hydrologic monitoring by the National Weather Service (NWS) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirms that the volume of water currently impounded in Suicide Basin has reached or exceeded levels observed during prior flood-of-record events,” the announcement said. “A release is expected at any time. Flooding is likely to affect the Mendenhall River and surrounding neighborhoods in the Mendenhall Valley.”

The National Weather Service Juneau office said, “The Basin is full and continues to over-top. … As of 10 p.m. Monday, the release has NOT begun, but could happen at any point this week.”

Governor Mike Dunleavy will be at Trump’s meeting with Putin.

I welcome the upcoming meeting between President Donald J. Trump and Russia’s President Putin being held here in the great state of Alaska.

Alaska is the most strategic location in the world, sitting at the crossroads of North America and Asia, with the Arctic to our north and…

— Governor Mike Dunleavy (@GovDunleavy) August 8, 2025

I welcome the upcoming meeting between President Donald J. Trump and Russia’s President Putin being held here in the great state of Alaska.

Alaska is the most strategic location in the world, sitting at the crossroads of North America and Asia, with the Arctic to our north and the Pacific to our south. With a mere two miles separating Russia from Alaska , no other place plays a more vital role in our national defense, energy security, and Arctic leadership. What happens in the Arctic and the Pacific impacts Alaska before the rest of the country.

It’s fitting that discussions of global importance take place here. For centuries, Alaska has been a bridge between nations, and today, we remain a gateway for diplomacy, commerce, and security in one of the most critical regions on earth. The world will be watching, and Alaska stands ready to host this historic meeting.

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President Putin’s visit to Alaska will mark the first time a leader of Russia has visited Alaska since it was sold to the United States.

When Vladimir Putin visits Akaska to meet with President Trump on Friday, August 15, it will mark the first visit to Alaska by a Russian head of state since Alaska was sold by the Russians to America for $7.2 million in 1867. pic.twitter.com/ethFTAcv60

— Brick Suit (@Brick_Suit) August 8, 2025