2004 Bering Strait Sea Storm Disaster

State of Alaska DMVA DHS&EM

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The Governor’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM) is opening tele-registration for the State Individual Assistance Program on Wednesday December 1st. The program is designed to provide assistance for those who suffered damages and/or losses to personal and real property during the Bering Strait Sea Storm Disaster that hit the west coast of Alaska October 18th through the 24th.

Click here to view the flyer on the State Individual Disaster Assistance program

Maps of Designated Disaster Area

Click on a thumbnail for a larger view

Regional Map

State Map

News:

	1/14/05 -- Deadline Approaching to File for Individual Assistance Program Disaster Relief
	12/30/04 -- Deadline is approaching for Federal Disaster Assistance to Private Non-Profit Organizations
	12/13/04 -- Federal Disaster Assistance Available to Private Non-Profit Organizations
	12/13/04 -- Disaster Incident Period Extended by Four Days
	11/29/04 -- Application Period Opens for State Individual Assistance Program
	11/29/04 -- Additional Alaska Communities Designated for Public Assistance
	11/22/04 -- State Implementing Individual Assistance Program for Victims of Bering Strait Sea Storm Disaster
	11/19/04 -- Joint State/Federal Assistance Teams Deploy to Nome, Unalakleet
	11/16/04 -- FEMA Approves State Request for Disaster Declaration (Office of the Governor)
	11/16/04 -- Federal Disaster Funds Ordered For Alaska To Aid State And Local Government Storm Recovery (FEMA)
	10/29/04 -- Governor Issues Disaster Declaration (Office of the Governor)

Background:

Summary as of November 1st, 2004

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM) continues to contact communities to assess the storm’s impact on Northwest Alaska. Thirty-two communities have been contacted in total.

DHS&EM deployed a four-man Preliminary Damage Assessment Team last week to work the affected area. DHS&EM personnel assessed damage to public, tribal, private, and industrial infrastructure. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also deployed a three-man team to assist in the disaster assessment process last week.

The City of Nome and the Northwest Arctic Borough have declared a local disaster and have requested State assistance. Four communities (Unalakleet, Kivalina, Kotzebue, and Shishmaref) have indicated that they may make a local declaration and request State assistance but have not done so to date. Major damage from the storm appears to cover Nome, Kivalina, Unalakleet, Shishmaref, and Mekoryuk. Damages include: major damages to primary residences in Brevig Mission, Elim, Golovin, Koyuk, Mountain Village, the City of Nome, Pitka’s Point, St. Michael, Teller, and Wales; minor damages to primary residents occurred in Kotlik, St. Mary’s, and White Mountain; major damages occurred to local businesses in Nome; major damage occurred to Alaska Village Electric Co-op power poles and lines throughout the effected area; major road damage occurred in Elim and Nome; and the City of Nome incurred extreme costs in life/safety measures taken during the height of the storm.

Governor Frank Murkowski signed a State Disaster Declaration for the area on Friday October 29^th and has submitted the paperwork for seeking federal assistance for recovery and repair operations from the storm.

For More information contact Renee Nelson, DHS&EM Public Information Officer at 907-428-7052.

Disaster Declarations:

	State of Alaska Disaster Declaration (10/28/2004)
	Northwest Arctic Borough (10/24/2004)
	City of Nome (10/19/2004)
	FEMA DR-1571 Federal Disaster Website

Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
P.O. Box 5750, Fort Richardson, AK 99505-5750
Phone: (907)428-7000 Fax: (907)428-7009
dhs&em_emergency_mgmt@ak-prepared.com