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Western Alaska Disaster Recovery Continues

www.akdelegationnews.com

Western Alaska Disaster Recovery Continues

It's been a busy week for the Alaska Delegation.

Zack Brown
Sep 27, 2022
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Share this post

Western Alaska Disaster Recovery Continues

www.akdelegationnews.com

Greasing the wheels for disaster recovery

Last week, Typhoon Merbok wreaked havoc on towns and villages in western Alaska. This historic event generated a devastating storm surge that inundated communities with flood waters. Unalakleet experienced peak water levels of roughly 12.5 feet, among the highest on record. Thankfully, despite the widespread devastation, no lives were lost. However, as is the case with natural disasters, families were uprooted, livelihoods have been lost, and local businesses are now faced with tough choices as they work to rebuild. 

Twitter avatar for @lisamurkowski
Sen. Lisa Murkowski @lisamurkowski
It was good to listen & share info on federal aid opportunities at a community meeting in Nome, alongside @Rep_Peltola, @FEMA_Deanne, @AlaskaDHSEM, and Mayor John Handeland of Nome. Alaskans have my full support as they work to recover from the impacts of Typhoon Merbok.
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1:30 AM ∙ Sep 27, 2022
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the primary agency responsible for federal disaster recovery efforts and public support. In the aftermath of the storm, Governor Dunleavy and the Alaska Delegation pushed hard to have a disaster declaration declared, initiating FEMA's formal disaster response. In this special edition of THE DELEGATION, we'll dive in and round up news on the federal response to Typhoon Merbok.

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Working toward a disaster declaration

Last week, Governor Mike Dunleavy R-Alaska) issued a request for a federal disaster declaration to President Joe Biden. As noted in the last issue of THE DELEGATION, while these requests are vital, they sometimes need more muscle to move the ball forward. This is where Senators Murkowski and Sullivan and Congresswoman Peltola come in. 

Excerpt from the Delegation's letter to the president.

In a letter following Governor Dunleavy's request, Senators Murkowski and Sullivan and Congresswoman Peltola echoed the urgency behind a disaster declaration, writing:

"Our State emergency response team members are working day and night to ensure that our communities are safe and that utilities, services, and major infrastructure are operational as soon as possible. Alaska's public servants are instrumental in mitigating the immediate impact of the storm in Western Alaska. However, much more needs to be done. Governor Dunleavy indicated in his request that the damage was of such severity and scale that additional federal assistance is necessary to supplement the actions of our State agencies."

computer animation of a storm
Remnants of Typhoon Merbok approach Western Alaska on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 (NOAA)

The Delegation's letter was exactly what was needed to move the ball forward. Two days later, President Biden approved Governor Dunleavy's request, and a federal disaster was declared. The full Delegation applauded President Biden's approval in a joint news release. These pleasantries may seem to have little impact in the moment, but they go a long way as the Delegation and the Biden Administration collaborate amid western Alaska's recovery. 

On the ground and with the people

people on board an airplane with emergency responders.
Congresswoman Mary Peltola and Senator Lisa Murkowski traveling to survey the devastation up close. (Office of Senator Lisa Murkowski)

Reading Typhoon Merbok briefing materials and watching coverage from 4,000 miles away in D.C. is one thing, but there is something to be said about leaders getting boots on the ground and into Alaskan communities. The stakes of these visits increase exponentially if visits from high-level federal officials are involved. Step 1 for the Delegation was getting the federal government to declare a disaster in the first place; step 2 is bringing the federal government to the people.

This weekend, Senator Lisa Murkowski and Congresswoman Mary Peltola visited Nome to tour Typhoon-ravaged communities. This on-the-ground deployment is high stakes, requiring them to listen, empathize, and tell western Alaska's story to the country. With them was FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, a "big get" by any measure. For Congresswoman Peltola in particular, the Typhoon and its impacts represent a major test. She's only two weeks into her congressional career, but she's already flexed her leadership bona fides by being a voice for Alaska and bringing a high-profile official to the state. Devastation like this should by no means be seen as a way to bolster your public image, but it should be noted that Peltola's visit and appearance with the FEMA Administrator have undoubtedly bolstered her image and leadership skills. 

Emergency responders stand in a circle talking.
Congresswoman Mary Peltola and Senator Lisa Murkowski speak with emergency responders. (Office of Senator Lisa Murkowski)

Murkowski, Peltola, and Administrator Criswell spoke with KNOM radio following their site visits. Peltola previewed what her office will be working on in the coming weeks:

"The Department of Interior announced yesterday that they're going to provide $2.6 million to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 45 communities that had been affected. That's really for essential items, food and water. The continuing resolution that Congress is working on right now, we're fortunate that we may be able to — we will be able to fit things in the process. There's they call it an anomaly. I think in in the state vernacular, it's a supplemental or a fast-track supplemental, but in the federal process, they call it an anomaly. So that's what my office will be working on and making sure that we are as helpful as we can be," Peltola told KNOM.

Congresswoman Peltola in Nome on Saturday, September 24th, with FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell visiting communities impacted by Typhoon Merbok. (Office of Congresswoman Mary Peltola)

Senator Murkowski highlighted the community response she's experienced while inspecting the devastation up close:

"I was talking to a young man in Golovin yesterday who lives in Nome, but he's mucking out his dad's house and he's going to go help out his uncle, rip the insulation out and try to be there. What is happening is really heartwarming; I look at the devastation of the fire there at the Bering Sea (restaurant), and think about all this community has gone through in the past — literally like a week, and it is extraordinary how people have come together."

Disaster recovery cost sharing

Twitter avatar for @SenDanSullivan
Sen. Dan Sullivan @SenDanSullivan
✅ @fema will cover 100% of the costs, for one month, for those recovering from #HurricaneFiona in Puerto Rico. I support that. ❌ FEMA has *not* offered this same agreement for Alaskans recovering from #TyphoonMerbok—one of the largest storms in our state’s history. Why? 🧵
4:51 PM ∙ Sep 27, 2022
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Meanwhile, on the Senate Floor, Senator Dan Sullivan delivered a speech urging the federal government to waive the State of Alaska's cost share for disaster recovery. In his speech, he noted that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) requested a 100% cost-sharing waiver for Puerto Rico as they recover from Hurricane Fiona. Senate Floor charts have a reputation for sometimes being unnecessary or ridiculous, but Sullivan brought several enlarged photos of the Typhoon aftermath to further reinforce the need for Alaska to have its cost share waived.

Senator Dan Sullivan advocates on the Senate Floor for a cost sharing waiver from FEMA. Click here for his full speech.

This wasn't the end of the conversation, however.

Twitter avatar for @Rep_Peltola
Rep. Mary Peltola @Rep_Peltola
I urge @POTUS to waive the State of Alaska’s cost share after last week’s federal disaster declaration in response to Typhoon Merbok. Full release from @lisamurkowski, @SenDanSullivan, @GovDunleavy, and I 👇🏻
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6:55 PM ∙ Sep 27, 2022
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Today, the full Alaska Delegation, joined by Governor Dunleavy, issued a joint press release formally calling on President Biden to mirror FEMA's arrangement with Puerto Rico by eliminating cost sharing for 30 days. The Delegation argued that the devastation was too great, and the financial burden of cost-sharing would delay the recovery and stifle the State of Alaska's ability to mitigate storm damage that is yet unseen or unknown.

"Having just visited Nome and other communities impacted by Typhoon Merbok over the weekend, I've now had the chance to speak directly with state and local officials and see the destruction first-hand," said Representative Peltola. "I am extremely grateful that President Biden so quickly approved Governor Dunleavy's federal disaster declaration, however, I wish to strongly reiterate my call for FEMA to waive the State of Alaska's cost share for federal individual and public assistance for recovery efforts. This 100% federal cost share is essential to the timely cleanup efforts that are ongoing." 


How you can help

Many have asked how they can help western Alaska recovery efforts. The good news is there are countless organizations working to bring safety and stability to the impacted communities. 

  • The Alaska Community Foundation has set up a Western Alaska Disaster Recovery Fund at alaskacf.org. 

  • The World Central Kitchen, founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, has already delivered a planeload of food. You can support them here.

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Western Alaska Disaster Recovery Continues

www.akdelegationnews.com
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