Juneau city and tribal officials announced a preemptive disaster declaration Friday in anticipation of the glacial outburst flood expected to hit the Mendenhall Valley soon.

Ku.seen Jacqueline Pata is the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska’s first Vice President. At a press briefing, she said declaring a disaster before the flood could expedite recovery efforts, such as financial aid applications with the state.

“Being ahead of the curve really makes a big difference,” she said.

The tribe has already ratified the declaration and the Juneau Assembly will hold a special meeting next Friday at noon to do the same.

The city and tribe have ramped up their communication with the public ahead of this year’s flood, compared to previous years. Ashley Heimbigner, th

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