# Some Alaskans are evacuating their homes as water escapes a basin dammed by the Mendenhall Glacier amidst fears of glacial outburst water putting homes in the area at risk. Local officials on Tuesday confirmed water had begun escaping the ice dam and flooding was expected in the coming days. Glacial lake outbursts happen when a lake of melting snow and ice and rain drains rapidly and can be compared to pulling a plug from a full bathtub.
Evacuations in Alaska after glacial melt raises fears of record flooding