State Disaster Declared After Storm Floods Alaska Coastal Communities
Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a state disaster on December 6 after a powerful storm produced above high tide sea surges and coastal flooding across western and northern Alaska, including Utqiagvik. The declaration activates State of Alaska Public and Individual Assistance programs to help repair infrastructure, cover emergency transportation and medical costs, and provide temporary housing for affected residents.
On December 6 Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a state disaster declaration after a strong storm sent above high tide sea surges and flooding along Alaska coastlines from Utqiagvik on the northern tip to Wales on the westernmost point. The declaration activates State of Alaska Public and Individual Assistance programs, a state administered package that aims to provide federal style assistance to restore critical services and infrastructure and to support communities facing evacuations, repairs, and other storm related needs.
State emergency officials and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management reported no injuries at the time of the release, and said response and recovery efforts are being coordinated with local governments and tribal partners. The Northwest Arctic Borough reported significant damage to homes and infrastructure, underscoring the severity of impacts facing coastal communities. Utqiagvik and other North Slope communities remain closely engaged with borough emergency management as assessments proceed.
The Public and Individual Assistance programs are intended to help local governments repair roads, water systems and other public infrastructure, and to reimburse eligible emergency transportation and medical costs. For residents the Individual Assistance component can also include support to find temporary housing while repairs are completed. For remote Arctic communities where access is limited and costs are high, those forms of aid can be critical to restoring day to day services and ensuring continuity of care and transportation.
Coordination with tribal governments is central to the response, reflecting local leadership in damage assessment and priorities for repair. Recovery in the North Slope will depend on timely assessments, logistics for moving materials and personnel, and clear communication between state, borough and tribal authorities. Residents should monitor updates from North Slope Borough emergency management and tribal offices for information about local shelter options, infrastructure outages and eligibility for assistance.
As assessments continue this week state and local teams will prioritize restoring lifeline services and supporting households displaced or cut off by flood damage. The declaration creates tools for immediate recovery, but long term repairs and resilience planning will be necessary to reduce future risks to communities along Alaska coastlines.
