Alaska Declares State Disaster for Interior

Four Storm Systems Devastated Western and Interior Alaska

Governor Sean Parnell has declared a state disaster for Interior Alaska. The governor amended his disaster declaration for the western Alaska villages to include the Fairbanks North Star Borough, according to a press release posted on the state website.

“I commend residents for taking care of their neighbors and helping those who were hardest hit by the storm,” he said.

The same storm systems that devastated western Alaska villages went on to cause widespread damage in Interior Alaska. All told, the four storms that moved through the region blew down trees, cutting power to as many as 16,000 residents at the height of the storm.

“All of our state assets have been standing by to assist the borough, and we have maintained communication through the state emergency operations center during the event,” Governor Parnell continued. “The purpose of this disaster declaration is to ensure the borough has access to recovery grants in order to speed up the process.”

Golden Valley Electric Association has coordinated with all available linemen from across the state to repair downed power lines as quickly as possible. Crews have been working around the clock since the storm subsided this weekend.

Parnell made the announcement after meeting with residents in the Northwest Arctic Borough, Bering Straits Regional Education Attendance Area, and Lower Yukon, as well as the mayors  of FNSB, North Pole and Fairbanks.

Four major storm systems battered the state earlier this month with powerful winds, strong seas and freezing rain and snow, said a report.

The governor’s office says that the declaration opens access to state disaster relief funds to repair infrastructure and some homes.

Related Links

• Major Storms Threaten Alaska  November 13, 2013
• Southern U.S. Freezes Over! November 12, 2013

Major Storms Threaten Alaska

Another Series of Major Storms to Impact Alaska Through the Week: NWS

“Another series of major winter storms will be impacting the State of Alaska through the week bringing high storm surge to already affected areas along the west coast of the State, freezing rain accumulation up to 3/4 inch for the western Interior of Alaska, and snowfall of up to a foot for much of the Alaska Interior,” NWS forecasters reported.

Extreme Weather Warnings currently in effect for Alaska include

• Winter Storm Warning
• Storm Warning
• Gale Warning
• Heavy Freeze Spray Warning

Related Links

• Southern U.S. Freezes Over! November 12, 2013