Letter Of Thanks: 2026 GLOF is almost a wrap, so many people to thank

People watch the Mendenhall River from the Back Loop Bridge. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Independent)

The 2026 glacial lake outburst flood is almost a wrap, and there are so many people and organizations to thank.

Thank you to the City and Borough of Juneau, Tlingit and Haida, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Weather Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Forest Service, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, State of Alaska, American Red Cross and all the agencies that worked together to prepare for this year’s flood and protect our community.

Thank you also to Capital City Fire/Rescue, Juneau Police Department, Capital Transit, Juneau School District, United Way of Southeast Alaska, Salvation Army, Grateful Dogs of Juneau, Juneau Flood Solution Advocates, Juneau Alarm, AEL&P, local media, contractors, churches, businesses and community organizations that contributed in so many different ways.

Most of all, thank you to the volunteers and neighbors who filled sandbags, installed cameras, delivered evacuation notices, answered hotline calls, helped elders and people with disabilities, cared for pets and checked on one another.

As someone who lives in the flood zone, I felt better informed, better prepared and supported throughout this year’s event. The improved communication, public meetings, emergency planning, river monitoring and coordination between agencies made a noticeable difference.

There are probably individuals and organizations I have missed, but please know your work mattered and was deeply appreciated. This year showed what can happen when our city, tribe, state and federal agencies, community organizations and residents all work together.

We still need to keep the pressure on for a lasting, long-term solution. But for today, I simply want to say thank you. Juneau truly came together to protect our community.

Sandy Edwardson

Juneau