Alaska District News

Seattle-based emergency management specialist provides valuable leadership on USACE flood mitigation efforts in Mendenhall Valley

Cameron McLeod — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 18:43:21 GMT

Recurring glacial outburst floods in southeast Alaska’s Mendenhall Valley present a challenging and complicated issue for homeowners and businesses in Juneau. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is actively working with the City and Borough of Juneau and other stakeholders to construct effective flood risk mitigation solutions, assembling materials and experienced professionals from across the country to work toward an effective solution for Juneau.

USACE commander reflects on deployment to wildfire debris removal mission in southern California

Cameron McLeod — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 23:03:00 GMT

Col. Jeffrey Palazzini, commander of the USACE - Alaska District, served as the commander of the Pacific Palisades emergency field office, or EFO, for nearly four months in 2025. In this capacity, he served as a crucial leader and resource for other deployed personnel as they worked tirelessly to clear debris from the community, enabling residents and business owners to safely proceed in their recovery efforts.

Temporary flood barriers prove effective during flood event in Juneau

Cameron McLeod and John Budnik — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 21:38:43 GMT

During the week of August 11, the Mendenhall Glacier released its yearly glacier lake outburst flood, also known as a jökulhlaup (Yah-cuh-laup). In preparation for the potential threat to infrastructure and public safety, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided temporary flood mitigation barriers to the City and Borough of Juneau last winter. While USACE continues to prepare a technical study that will help to define the parameters of an enduring flood risk mitigation solution, these barriers provided vital short-term protection to the community along the river this week by holding back the glacial water released from Suicide Basin and performing well during the peak of the floodwaters.

Two years after quake, military repair projects continue as USACE reflects on response efforts

Mr. John Budnik — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 17:00:00 GMT

With the epicenter about 10 miles north of Anchorage, the Cook Inlet Earthquake registered a 7.1 magnitude and rocked most of Alaska’s population during the morning of November 30, 2018. First responders sprang into action, but once the dust settled the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District emerged as a reliable military partner inspecting and repairing infrastructure on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Army to help convert vacant buildings into hospitals as COVID-19 spreads

Thomas Brading — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 21:04:00 GMT

Army leaders announced plans to quickly convert unused buildings into makeshift hospitals in multiple states, starting in New York, as hospitals brace for medical shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, construction is set to kick off as the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan will be refitted into a 1,000-bed hospital and an additional 1,800 field medical stations, officials said. Soldiers from the New York National Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and civilian employees will prepare the medical facility, slated to begin operating in a week to 10 days. The race against the virus is “an unbelievably complicated problem” that needs a simple solution, said Lt. Gen. Todd T. Semonite, commanding general of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.