It’s been a tough go for the City of Auburn to push through official business while handling the recent flooding crisis.

But on Jan. 5, with floodwaters well in retreat, Auburn City Council members, after two flood-engendered meeting cancellations in December, got together for the first time in 2026 and did what the city code requires them to do whenever the mayor issues an emergency proclamation: ratify and confirm.

The Dec. 9 proclamation by Mayor Nancy Backus was key to making emergency funds from the state and federal governments available.

City leaders were also ready on Monday with plenty of thank yous and praise for the work that staff, directors and volunteers did, not only in Auburn, but notably when they rushed to help the city of Pacific after the failure of its Hesco flood barriers at the White River.

Backus noted how personnel in each of the city’s departments took time away from their regular duties to set up Auburn’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). That’s where they handled communications and perform other vital jobs, well after they had worked their full days 5 p.m. Many of them, Backus said, had never worked in the EOC before.

Backus thanked Parks, Arts and Recreation Director Julie Krueger and her team for supporting the Red Cross at its emergency shelter, and Auburn Food Bank Director Debbie Christian for opening up the Ray of Hope and the Sundown shelters.

“There was a lot of grace by everyone involved,” Backus said. “And that doesn’t always happen. People are worried, they’re tired, they’re away from their belongings, they’re in fear. But I have to say that everyone worked very well together.”

Councilmember Kate Baldwin expressed her appreciation to “all of our directors and all of our staff in the city who handled this emergency with the seriousness that was required, and did exceptionally well as far as making sure that our community was informed, making sure that people could be helped, making sure that people could stay safe.

“I think when things like this happen,” Baldwin added, “it really shows how well the machinery was working to make sure that people were looked after.”

Councilmember Cheryl Rakes described how she helped Auburn School District handle all the donations for flood victims.

“It was quite inspiring, quite busy, as I was able to go down and sort clothes and get that area all set up for the next day. Unfortunately, there were so many flood victims that needed help. But it was put together in a three-day period,” Rakes said.