FW: DR 332-23 - 5.15 Updates
Jenni Ragland
Good evening VOAD partners
Before the end of my day, I wanted to pass along a summary from Bryan at the American Red Cross which highlights the significance of this Spring’s break up along the river system. There is potential for additional flooding in the days ahead, as break up moves down river and more complete information becomes known as damage assessments are completed.
There will be a Mass Care call scheduled very soon for those who have resources/capacity to support immediate response and recovery needs. If you don’t normally participate in those calls, but would like the information, please let me know and I’ll make sure to forward you the details.
We know Alaskans are strong and resilient people but in times like these, when things seem at their worst, we have the opportunity to come alongside our neighbors to offer hope and healing. Thank youfor your continued thoughts and prayers for all those who have been impacted, as well as the responders who are tirelessly working to offer support.
Please let me know if you have any questions. I am still in Cordova, but will be back in Anchorage tomorrow afternoon. (My phone works best with email and/or text messages, so don’t hesitate to reach out at 907-317-2430.)
Blessings,
Jenni Ragland
Service Extension & Emergency Disaster Services Director
The Salvation Army Alaska Division
https://alaska.salvationarmy.org
From: Cassella, Bryan <bryan.c...@redcross.org>
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2023 4:13 PM
To: Williams, David <David.W...@redcross.org>; Libbrecht, Tanguy Y. <tanguy.l...@redcross.org>; Jenni Ragland <jenni....@usw.salvationarmy.org>; Alan Budahl - Luthern Church (abu...@gci.net) <abu...@gci.net>; Tom Gemmell <tom.g...@gmail.com>
Cc: Hickey, Kelin <kelin....@redcross.org>; DHS Desiree Chambers (MVA) <desiree....@alaska.gov>; Everhart, Denise C. <denise....@redcross.org>; Boyle, Christopher R. <Christop...@redcross.org>; Janecek, Jake D. <jake.j...@redcross.org>;
Mccann, Erin <erin.m...@redcross.org>
Subject: DR 332-23 - 5.15 Updates
Hello All,
Spent the day with the SEOC and we compared all notes and available information as of 1500 hours, 5/15/23. Please find relevant updates below. This event is still very much scaling up and river break-up continues to be in progress across the state. Sum total of confirmed major damaged homes to date is 36 and growing. Dave is putting together his TO for this DR and Kelin is working on filling positions and identifying where we might need Division support. (Dave feel free to send whatever version of this you’d like to the team)
Affected Communities of Concern:
- Circle (population 90)
- On par with historic 1945 level flooding, water rose 10ft in a matter of minutes and was too fast to outrun
- Heavy damage to downtown business and residential structures from water inundation and mass ice flow (some pieces documented to be 12ftx60ft); CTC Tribal Hall, Tribal Offices, CTC Housing, teacher housing, post office
- 15 homes severely damaged or destroyed downtown; 3 homes severely damaged downriver – Totaling 18 known thus far
- School damaged, no other shelter locations in the community suitable
- Unknown number of elders and children have been evac’d to Fairbanks and are staying with friends/family
- Currently no shelter needs, BUT within a week shelter needs may begin to appear
- Power and comms currently out
- THERE IS NO HOUSING AVAILABLE FOR RESPONDERS, we will need to find a solution to send response teams
- Extensive disaster debris
- Potential impact to community and recovery efforts for commercial and subsistence capacities
- Crooked Creek (population 88)
- Worse than 2011 flooding, 6-10’ ice chunks all over town and extensive disaster debris
- Community sheltering operations in effect; 5 in the school (4 elders and one 3rd grader) & unknown number at Donlin Mining Camp (at least 12 that were evac’d)
- School district approving distribution of school food supply
- Sheltering assistance not requested at this time, long-term sheltering needs unknown
- Half of community can’t be accessed to do damage assessment
- Projected minimum 10 homes major/destroyed
- Store and other low-lying community structures inundated
- Immediate needs for clothing and shoes, SEOC getting specifics on sizing
- Glennallen (population 437)
- Sewer system offline
- 6 homes confirmed damaged, potentially up to 10
- Major public infrastructure inundation including BIA, Fire Department, and library with grocery store surrounded and inaccessible
- Old Paths Church has been identified as potential meeting point and service site
- Eagle (population 76)
- Mostly PA damage
- 2 homes confirmed damaged and residents evacuated
Potentially Affected Communities:
- Steven’s Village (population 48)
- Flooding in progress, community lies behind a 40 mile ice jam
- Red Devil (population 23)
- Worst flooding since 2011
- Possible PA but no reports of residential damage thus far
- Fort Yukon (population 508)
- Flooding in progress, no residential damage reports thus far
- Napaimute (population 5)
- Flooding in progress, no residential damage reports thus far
- McGrath (population 274)
- Local community concerns of snowmelt flooding
- River appears to have broken up
- Aniak (population 494)
- Downriver from Crooked Creek and preparing for incoming ice flow
- Upper and Lower Kalskag (population 210 and 282)
- If breakup front passes Aniak and reaches community tonight, flooding possible
- Copper River Communities (Copperville, Copper Center, Silver Springs, Tazlina)
- Significant snowmelt and chance of flooding
Active ARC Service Delivery:
- Red Cross has made 2 PDA visits to Glennallen thus far, collaborating with local community members to identify needs
- Red Cross has received a request by TCC for clean-up kits in Circle and will be providing to Tribal Administrator tomorrow morning out of Fairbanks
- SEOC has requested DA and immediate IA assistance from the ARC for all affected communities, and will share transportation space to only-fly communities such as Crooked Creek when available
I believe that’s everything for now and have attached the first state IAP fysa. Do let me know if you have any questions.
Regards,
Bryan
____________________________
Bryan Cassella (he/him/his)
Regional Disaster Officer
American Red Cross of Alaska
907.205.1719 | bryan.c...@redcross.org
“be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ~Oscar Wilde
