Begich & Murkowski Support State's Disaster Declaration Request

Press Release

Alaska's U.S. Senators Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski are urging the Obama Administration to approve a federal disaster declaration for this spring's floods in Interior Alaska as requested by Governor Sean Parnell on June 1.

In a letter to President Obama, Begich and Murkowski detail the devastation caused in the villages of Crooked Creek and Red Devil as the result of the seasonal ice jam flooding along the Kuskokwim River.
"These isolated areas of Alaska make emergency response challenging and we want to ensure that we have all the resources possible at our disposal. Your immediate attention and declaration will help ensure that we are doing everything possible to protect life and property in Alaska," the letter states.

The Parnell Administration requested a federal disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the flooding that caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure in Crooked Creek and Red Devil. According to the State of Alaska, about 66 percent of the housing in Crooked Creek was damaged or destroyed after the community experienced the worst flooding in recorded history this spring.

In the letter, Begich and Murkowski stress the need for Individual Assistance (IA) in addition to Public Assistance. With the flooding's impact on community infrastructure as well as homes, subsistence caches and tools, the senators say both types of assistance are necessary to fully support the rebuilding efforts.

Source