Mendenhall River flooding update: new resources and assistance available

Community recovery continues in the wake of the August 6 Mendenhall River flooding. Many new resources have become available in the last 24 hours. Visit CBJ’s dedicated flood response page at juneau.org/manager/flood-response to see all the latest information and resources. The page is updated throughout the day as soon as new information is available.

For offers to volunteer time or resources of any kind, please visit bit.ly/juneau-flood. Both individuals and organizations are welcome.

Please send all flood-related questions and requests to [email protected]. Contacting this email delivers your message directly to the CBJ flood response team and allows them to quickly get you the right information.

Volunteer Center Open TONIGHT

United Way of Southeast Alaska will host a volunteer center in Melvin Park (4098 Riverside Drive ) tonight, August 7, through 9 p.m. At the center, volunteers will be matched with a resident in need or assigned to general clean-up work. Please come with appropriate PPE: sturdy shoes, work gloves, and any additional items you may need such as safety goggles or masks. You are also encouraged to bring any tools available to you, such as box knives and pry bars.

If you have box fans, dehumidifiers, pumps, or other large equipment you would like to lend to the clean-up effort, please clearly label them with your name and phone number before bringing them to the center.

For more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator Ryan O’Shaughnessy at 907-209-5069.

State Disaster Assistance Applications Open

Residents impacted by the flood can now apply for Individual Assistance and Temporary Housing support from the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Apply now through October 9 at ready.alaska.gov/Recovery/IA or call 1-844-445-7131 (Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.). Apply by October 9, 2024.

• Individual Assistance Fact Sheet – 2024 Juneau Glacier Flood
• Infographic: Have disaster damages? Take these steps
• Infographic: State of Alaska Individual Assistance process

Debris Collection Underway

CBJ is working with the State of Alaska to collect disaster debris in the upcoming days. As of today, DOT&PF crews are out in the field picking up an initial round of household garbage, furniture, and other non-hazardous-waste. Please help the crews work quickly by hazardous waste from the garbage pile. Hazardous items include cleaning chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, fuel, propane tanks, electronic waste/anything with a batter or cord (except freezers, refrigerators, and AC units).

CBJ will hold a separate collection effort for hazardous waste—stay tuned for details soon. Alternatively, you can dispose of hazardous waste for free at CBJ’s RecycleWorks facility. Visit juneaurecycling.com for more information about household hazardous waste.

Expanded Landfill Hours for Self-Haul Waste

In addition to neighborhood debris collection by CBJ, Waste Management has expanded drop-off hours for residents who wish to self-haul waste. Starting Thursday, August 8 the landfill will be open to residents on Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. The landfill remains closed on Sunday.

Read more about drop-off requirements and potential reimbursement procedures.

Heating Oil Tank Assistance

Delta Western has offered to dip oil tanks for water and provide oil boom and other sorbent materials at no cost to impacted residences in the flood zone. Interested residents can contact Delta Western at their Juneau Office, 907-586-2800.

Local Contractor Contacts

The Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce has provided a list of local contractor members. These contractors may be able to assist homeowners with clean-up or reconstruction projects. See the list at juneau.org/manager/flood-response (click “Local Contractors & Resources”). If you are a local contractor who would like to be added to this list, please contact [email protected].

CBJ is providing this for informational purposes only and at the request of the community. CBJ is not formally endorsing or recommending any individual private business, but greatly appreciates the support the business community in Juneau continues to provide to impacted residents.

Meal Canteen at Melvin Park

The Salvation Army has opened a canteen at Melvin Park (4098 Riverside Drive), providing to-go meals for those working to clean up after the flood. Stop by if you need a quick bite to eat or just a momentary break.

Free Cardboard Boxes at Floyd Dryden

If you need cardboard boxes to store or sort belongings as you clean up, Juneau School District has surplus boxes available for free at the Floyd Dryden Middle School building (3800 Mendenhall Loop Road). Pick up on Thursday, August 8 or Friday, August 9 from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Other JSD surplus items will also be available for free to the public at this event.

Red Cross Disaster Relief Operation Office

Beginning Friday, the American Red Cross of Alaska will open a DRO (Disaster Relief Operation) office in Juneau. Red Cross staff will arrive on Thursday, August 8 and begin volunteer coordination and training. From Friday, August 9 through Sunday, August 11 volunteers will be in the field helping with damage assessment.

Starting next week, the Red Cross will assist with intake for Individual Assistance. Stay tuned for more information.