On July 1, 2026, the Thirty-Fourth Alaska State Legislature recognized Jamie Pierce, Aaron Jacobs, Dr. Eran Hood, and Dr. Jason Amundson for their outstanding service and leadership in responding to Juneau’s recurring glacier lake outburst flood (GLOF) events. Their dedication, scientific expertise, and commitment to public safety have played a vital role in helping the Juneau community understand, prepare for, and respond to these annual flood hazards.

Jamie Pierce, a U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic technician, provides critical on-the-ground expertise and dependable hydrologic monitoring in challenging and hazardous conditions. The high‑quality data produced is essential for informed decision‑making and supports efforts to protect public safety.

Aaron Jacobs, a senior service hydrologist with the National Weather Service, has strengthened the community’s ability to understand and prepare for dangerous flood conditions. Through his leadership in hydrologic forecasting and flood warning, he plays a key role in helping keep Juneau residents informed and safe.

Dr. Eran Hood, professor of environmental science and chair of the Natural Sciences Department at UAS, has become a trusted public voice in helping the community understand the changing glacier system and its impacts. Through clear communication, research, and the development of accessible tools and information resources, Dr. Hood has empowered residents, policymakers, and partner organizations to navigate periods of heightened risk with greater confidence.

Dr. Jason Amundson, a professor of geophysics at UAS, has advanced scientific understanding of Suicide Basin and contributed critical expertise to monitoring efforts that enhance flood forecasting and support coordinated emergency response.

“Together, their work has strengthened forecasting, expanded scientific understanding, improved emergency preparedness, and built public trust. What sets these individuals apart is not only the importance of their work but also the way they have carried it out. They have served with professionalism, humility, accessibility, and dedication. They have engaged with the community directly, made complex science understandable, and helped Juneau residents face a recurring threat with greater confidence and resilience. Their efforts have provided lasting benefit to the people of Juneau, the state, and beyond in their consultations with the US Army Corps of Engineers and are an example of public service at its finest. None of the initial team could have anticipated the scale or ongoing nature of these flood events. Yet through teamwork, scientific rigor, and unwavering commitment, they rose to meet the challenge for the benefit of the entire community.” – Thirty-Fourth Alaska State Legislature (Bryce Edgmon, Gaby Stevens, Rep. Andi Story, Sen. Jesse Kiehl, and Rep. Sara Hannan)

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