Alaska's capital of Juneau faced record floodwaters due to rainwater and snowmelt flowing downstream from a basin dammed by the Mendenhall Glacier.

One of Alaska's most populated cities is bracing for potentially catastrophic flooding as a basin dammed within the Mendenhall Glacier has started to release water.

Officials say new barriers protected against the kind of major damage inflicted during last year’s destructive Suicide Basin release, though high water inundated numerous areas.