Assembly extends disaster declaration

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

Brodigan said at least three structures have been lost to waterways, with many more damaged by water. That number is being assessed right now. Some 50 people were evacuated over the past six days. The Borough has sustained a lot of infrastructure damage, he said. Thirteen roads are closed today but as many as 40 or more were down at one time. Abutments to bridges washed away, making bridges impassable, and roads went under water or were torn away. Many people shoveled sandbags, including the Division of Forestry, Alaska Job Corps, CERT, Borough firefighters and more. Some 100 pallets, of 50 bags each, were amassed. “Reports indicate in Talkeetna that it was instrumental to saving quite a few structures,” Brodigan said. So far the emergency effort has spent $496,000. An Alaska Type 2 Incident Commander Tom Kurth told the Assembly the MAT-SU Borough emergency team should take great pride in its response effort for both not hesitating to act and for the information outreach to constituents through press releases and social media. The Type 2 team began assisting the Borough team with emergency response on Saturday.

GRATITUDE FOR A PREPARED RESPONSE TEAM

Moosey thanked the Incident Commanders Clint Vardeman and Casey Cook. Mayor Larry DeVilbiss and several Assembly members thanked the team for its dedication and professionalism. Assembly Member Steve Colligan thanked everyone for personal sacrifices and commitment. “I just drove to Fairbanks Friday and I saw all your folks out there working, and it was an amazing sight,” Colligan said. Assembly Member Jim Colver said the information team did a good job, “it probably saved a lot of lives,” Colver said. Assembly Member Ron Arvin thanked Manager Moosey and the Public Affairs Director Patty Sullivan, saying he knew what he could tell constituents because it was in his email or on facebook. The Public Information Team also includes: Carol Vardeman, Pamela Ness, VickieLee Fenster, Mary Brodigan, and Janette Bower, Palmer City Clerk. Alaska Type 2 team PIO Sarah Saarloos is now assisting the team.

THANKS TO THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND

Arvin thanked Public Works Director Shaune O’Neil for the active road crews of public works and the Alaska Dept. of Transportation. O’Neil said “It’s been an amazing team-building event. We have resources that neither side knew we had.” Assembly Member Warren Keogh said in his three to four visits to the Emergency Ops Center the effort was well-coordinated, with good team work. “I was impressed every time.” Keogh was also impressed by folks “with the feet on the ground.” He would like to see Borough legislation that sets aside $2 million in the future for disasters. Assembly Member Vern Halter who represents Talkeetna said “everybody was pretty impressed in Talkeetna…” Last Friday more than half the residents voluntarily evacuated when the Talkeetna River broke through a revetment. Most of them have returned to their homes for clean up.

NEVER IN MY 67 YEARS HAVE I SEEN THIS

Assembly Member Noel Woods said in his 67 years “I’ve never seen such flooding in every river in this Borough. I’ve never seen such disaster, everything all at the same time. You really have to thank the emergency services,” Woods said.

TALKEETNA COMMUNITY MEETING TOMORROW

Tomorrow night a community meeting will take place in Talkeetna to answer questions for residents on what happens after a flood disaster. The meeting begins at 6pm at the Talkeetna Elementary School.

STATE DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY ROLE BEGINS TO RAMP UP

State of Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has also had a presence in the EOC and was thanked for their efforts. They will be the main clearinghouse for all the emergency disaster funds and the conduit to possible federal funding through FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Administration. Disaster recovery centers will be set up in geographic areas affected by the flooding here once the main damage assessments are completed.

MAP MAKERS

Maps have been a critical part of the information dissemination success. The Borough GIS Division delivered clear maps in a complex situation. The group who served in the EOC includes: Manager Jim DePasquale, Eric Goudey, Susan Howard, Heather Kelley, Leah Jones, Carla Goers, and Susie Gibson, with CIO Shannon Post. The Emergency Operations Center is a joint response team made up of many agencies, including the Borough, local cities, DOT, the State, Red Cross, dispatchers, Ham radio, and more. Photo of the Assembly, left to right: Steve Colligan, Noel Woods, Manager John Moosey, Mayor Larry DeVilbiss, Clerk Lonnie McKechnie, Ron Arvin, Vern Halter, and Warren Keogh. For more information call PIO Patty Sullivan at 355-0103 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.