Governor Declares 2020 December Southeast Storms a Disaster; One for the Record BooksPosted and Edited By MARY KAUFFMAN
December 09, 2020
The Disaster Declaration activates the State of Alaska Public Assistance program which is designed to help communities, government organizations, and certain non-profits make repairs to utilities, public buildings, roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure damaged by the declared event. In addition, the Public Assistance Disaster Declaration will reimburse communities and agencies for eligible response costs associated with the disaster event. The Disaster Declaration covers the entire Southeast Region stretching from Haines to Ketchikan. According to the U.S. National Weather Service Juneau, the December 02, 2020 storm was one for the record books.
Between Nov. 30 and December 02, the storm impacted Southeast Alaska with heavy rains and high winds. This storm caused multiple landslides, flooded homes and infrastructures, washed out roads, interrupted power, and knocked down trees. More than 12 Southeast Alaska communities have reported damages, with some indicating the need for disaster recovery assistance. The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is responding to emergency requests from Haines for increased search and rescue (SAR) capabilities, sheltering support, geological technical experts, and other requests. “Haines and many other communities in Southeast are experiencing profound impacts due to this powerful storm. We are doing everything we can do to ensure that the communities have the resources they need to respond to this event,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. Dunleavy said, “This is an ongoing response and we are focused on the immediate life, health, and safety needs of those impacted by the event. As we meet those critical needs, this Public Assistance Disaster Declaration will allow for a swift transition to repairing critical infrastructure.” Although multiple landslides were reported throughout Southeast, the deadliest occurred in Haines with two missing persons still unaccounted for. The Alaska State Troopers reported a landslide on Dec. 2nd in the Haine's Beach Road extension with six people unaccounted for and four houses destroyed. Approximately nine feet of mud and trees covering the area. On December 3rd, two people were reported still missing after a landslide swept through an area where they lived. All others were located safe. Search and rescue continued until the 7th. Numerous agencies were involved in the search and rescue efforts including the U.S. Coast Guart, Haines Police, State of Alaska, and volunteers. On Monday, December 7th, Alaska State Troopers suspended active search operations in Haines for David Simmons, age 30 of Haines and Janae Larson, age 23 of Haines due to continued rain and the likelihood of additional landslides in the area. Ground searchers deployed to Haines with the Troopers departed the area Monday aboard the P/V Enforcer. An Alaska State Trooper Sergeant from Juneau will remain in Haines to coordinate with the incident commander and Haines Borough Police Department on the ongoing disaster relief efforts. The U.S. National Weather Service Juneau announced the Flash Flood Watch for Haines was allowed to expire Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 8). However, the ground remains saturated with continued runoff from the record rainfall event over the last 7 days. Many areas remain unstable. Residents in Hains are asked to stay vigilant near steep terrain and monitor conditions for any changes. Important observations include: creek water becoming brown, pooling of water, cracking of drywall or shifting walls in homes, cracks in land, pavement, and driveways, ground movement of any kind, trees falling over, overflowing wells and wet basements. Report changing conditions to the Emergency Operations Center in Haines 907-766-6445. With the continuing rains last week, flood watch and voluntary evacuation of areas surrounding Ketchikan Creek was issued on Saturday, December 5th by the City of Ketchikan based on the current rain flow that could cause a breach and failure of the Ketchikan Lakes dam by 3 am Sunday morning. At 9 AM Sunday morning, The Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center announced the voluntary evacuation order was cancelled. Saying there is currently no danger of dam failure. As of 8 AM Sunday, the water level at Ketchikan Lakes has been reduced to 348.95 feet. The decreased level of rainfall, as well as the work of geneerators overnight allowed this draw down of the lake level. Evacuated residents were notified they could return home.
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