Each summer in the mountains above Juneau, Alaska, meltwater from the massive Mendenhall Glacier flows into mountain lakes and into the Mendenhall River, which runs through town.

City officials say the flood threat has ended and credit barriers with preventing more damage from the Mendenhall Glacier outburst

The all clear has been given and residents have been allowed to return to their homes in Alaska’s capital of Juneau after a glacial lake outburst sent debris-filled water rushing down the Mendenhall River on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

A powerful surge of glacial meltwater is once again testing Juneau's resilience, and this time, the ripple effects could reach well beyond city limits — impacting thousands of travelers headed to Alaska’s capital by cruise ship.

People in and near Juneau, Alaska, were warned on Tuesday of potential record-breaking flooding amid releases from a nearby basin. Why It Matters Recent flooding events around the country this summer have sparked concerns for communities in and near flood zones.