Flooding Updates: Governor's State Declaration
Jenni Ragland
Good morning, all
Just sending a couple of the most recent updates regarding flooding.
-
There has been flooding in multiple communities, with sheltering primarily being supported by the community, tribal organizations and Red Cross.
Water has begun to recede in some areas, but break up is still on-going and potential for flooding is on-going. (pictures above from Circle) - Teams continue to fly River Watch and the State EOC and Red Cross has deployed personnel to Glenallen with some supplies and to get a better understanding of the situation.
- At the present time there are NO unmet Mass Care needs.
- Attached above is copy of break up summary, as an FYI.
Governor’s Declaration:
At 2220 Saturday, May 13, Governor Dunleavy verbally declared a State Disaster Emergency in response to significant and widespread flooding impacting the following Regional Education Attendance Areas (REAA) and Communities:
Alaska Gateway REAA (City and Native Village of Eagle)
Yukon Flats REAA (Circle)
Kuspuk REAA (Crooked Creek)
Copper River REAA (Glennallen)
Each community has experienced, or is currently experiencing moderate to severe flooding caused by ice jams or rapid snowmelt.
The Governor’s declaration activates the State Emergency Operations Plan, and authorizes the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to task, as necessary, State Agencies to assist with disaster and emergency response operations. The declaration also activates the State Public Assistance Program, which assists communities with emergency protective measures including flood fighting and sheltering, and assists communities with temporary and permanent repairs to damaged public infrastructure.
The SEOC, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Alaska Department of Public Safety/Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and the American Red Cross have been assisting communities throughout the day.
Regional entities including AHTNA, Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and the Association of Village Council Presidents are coordinating through the SEOC to provide support to the communities and individuals impacted.
The SEOC will continue conducting the Riverwatch Program along with the National Weather Service Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center to provide additional warnings to communities that may threatened be threatened by ice-jam or snowmelt induced flooding.
As water recedes in communities experience flooding, initial damage assessments will be conducted to determine the scope of damages, and additional State disaster recovery programs will be activated if warranted.
Blessings,
Jenni Ragland
Service Extension & Emergency Disaster Services Director
The Salvation Army Alaska Division
https://alaska.salvationarmy.org
From: Ramsey, John C (MVA) <john....@alaska.gov>
Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2023 7:21 AM
To: Jenni Ragland <jenni....@usw.salvationarmy.org>; jimki...@gmail.com; 'Susan Davis' <susan...@acsalaska.net>; Rayna Hamm <ra...@gci.net>; Tom Gemmell <tom.g...@gmail.com>
Cc: Cavallo, Alan (MVA) <alan.c...@alaska.gov>; Zeppa, Jonathan D (MVA) <jonatha...@alaska.gov>; Miller, Linda Y (MVA) <linda....@alaska.gov>; Roberts, Mark W (MVA) <mark.r...@alaska.gov>
Subject: FW: UPPER YUKON DIV: Circle Update 2350 hrs.
Good morning,
Update on Circle.
From: John Ramsey <John....@ready.alaska.gov>
Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2023 7:10 AM
To: Ramsey, John C (MVA) <john....@alaska.gov>
Subject: Fwd: UPPER YUKON DIV: Circle Update 2350 hrs.
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Roberts, Mark W (MVA)"
<mark.r...@alaska.gov>
Subject: UPPER YUKON DIV: Circle Update 2350 hrs.
Date: Sat, May 13, 2023 11:56 PM
To: Riverwatch;
Mark W Roberts IC
Alaska SEOC
Office: 907-428-7016
SEOC 907-428-7100
-----------------
From: Denver, Claude (MVA) <mailto:claude...@alaska.gov>
Sent: Saturday, May 13, 2023 23:47
To: Fisher, Bryan J (MVA) <mailto:b.fi...@alaska.gov>
Cc: Roberts, Mark W (MVA) <mailto:mark.r...@alaska.gov>;
Sather, Andrew P (MVA) <mailto:andrew...@alaska.gov>
Subject: Circle info
Circle Flooding
River Watch was on location prior to the flooding. The ice started moving around 1715. We flew around the area assessing the strength of the ice and ease of movement of the ice run for approximately 45 minutes, then we headed back
to Fairbanks.
I spoke with Kyle Wright with TCC. He had reached out to and contacted Jessica Fields, 2nd Chief. She reports the situation is bad but not dire (my words). A few elders who lived in homes near the river had to evacuate to friends and
family in town, or to the school. The situation is ok for now, but help will be needed to assist them with sheltering and/or housing soon. Don’t’ have a good number as yet. She did say a few homes had washed downriver. Jessica is available to use her generator
to power up her internet phone system. We will check with her tomorrow morning.
Kyle and I spoke about use of the TCC MOU on evacuation and sheltering. Kyle is a bit reluctant to use this MOU w/o first knowing how many people will need these services. The recent Gov declaration may help here as these costs would
be eligible under the dec as EPM.
I spoke with Hutch, a longtime resident of Circle who’s sister and her husband run the local HC store. He says the area is completely flooded up to the power plant (now offline), school, washeteria, and airport access road. He had
wanted to call the AST for a rescue, but I discovered it was only for a person Hutch wasn’t sure of his location prior to his leaving Circle this afternoon by aircraft.
I texted John Clendenin with DOT. He is looking into what DOT personnel in the area can provide SA and other assistance.
More to follow tomorrow. We plan to leave for Circle around 9 am. cd
Claude E. Denver
Response Manager
State Emergency Operations Center
Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
(907) 428-7090 Office
(907) 350-7738 Cell
(907) 428-7095 Fax
(800) 478-2337 toll free
