Western Alaska Disaster Recovery Continues
It's been a busy week for the Alaska Delegation.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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
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.
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.
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
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.
This wasn't the end of the conversation, however.
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.