Alaska communities devastated by severe storm may take years to recover | Alaska
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska warned over the weekend that it could take years for some of her state’s communities to recover after they were recently devastated by a powerful storm.
He speaks at the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual agreement On Saturday, Al-Jumhuriya shared its experience of visiting the village of Kipnok, where the officials are located Estimate 90% A number of buildings were destroyed amid floods and other extreme conditions, describing the widespread devastation and “long road” ahead to rebuild.
“It will take years to recover from the catastrophe of what we saw with this storm,” she said. Murkowski added: “We have to come together in times of tragedy and disaster – and we know it.
“After the flood waters recede, and after accounting for the damage to homes and fish camps, there is still a lot of work left, and a lot of remediation is needed.”
Murkowski’s comments came after the remnants of Typhoon Halong on the weekend of October 11 pummeled remote communities in southwest Alaska with strong winds, rain, record storm surge and flooding.
More than 1,500 people were displaced, and homes were flooded and submerged Swept away. at least kill one person, Two others remained missing as of Monday. With the US Coast Guard Saved dozens From their homes.
On October 16, Mike Dunleavy, Governor of Alaska, He said It could take “upwards of 18 months” before many residents can return to their homes and communities.
In a letter to Donald Trump, Dunleavy asked the president to declare a major disaster in the state, which would unlock federal resources.
“Due to the time, place, distance, geography and weather of the affected areas, it is likely that many survivors will not be able to return to their communities this winter,” he wrote.
“Agencies are prioritizing quick fixes,” he added. He added. “But it is likely that some affected communities will not be able to support winter occupancy, given America’s harshest Arctic climate.”
Murkowski and two other members of Alaska’s congressional delegation – U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan and House Representative Nick Begich – I sent a message He urged Trump to grant Dunleavy’s request.
They added, “The scale of this disaster exceeds the state’s capacity and ability to respond without federal support.” books. “With winter fast approaching, and transportation and broadband connectivity limited, there is an urgent need for federal assistance to repair housing, restore utilities and secure heating fuel before the harsh winter arrives.”
Alaska National Guard It has been activatedAnd, as of Sunday, that was the case “633 survivors” were airlifted. From Bethel to Marsa.
Alaska State Emergency Operations Center He said on Sunday that “large-scale evacuations have been completed, and additional small-scale evacuations will occur as needed.”
Center He said Sunday that he stayed At the highest level of activation in the country.
“Shelter operations continue in Bethel, Anchorage and other communities” at the center He said, Adding that it “continues to deploy personnel and supplies to affected communities to repair homes and infrastructure in emergency situations.”
In May, the Trump administration canceled a $20 million grant given to Kipnock by the US Environmental Protection Agency, aimed at preventing coastal erosion and protecting against flooding.
Statement from the Trump administration to Anchorage Daily News He defended canceling the grant, claiming without elaborating that the money would have been lost.
Murkowski also sought to defend the Trump administration on canceling the grant, arguing that the money would not have arrived in time to prevent damage from the recent storm, as the Daily News noted.
The senator added that the recent devastation underscores the importance of intentional funding to prevent damage from future storms.