Flood Destroys GlennRich Fire Station, Damages Property
Allison Sayer - CRR Staff
To apply for disaster assistance from the State of Alaska, go to www.Ready.Alaska.Gov
Or call: Disaster Assistance Hotline (907) 428-7072 or (907) 428-7075
Registration Deadline July 12, 2022
On the night of May 8, Moose Creek began overflowing its banks. Water began flooding into the GlennRich fire station. According to Glennallen Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) head Jason Severs, “at the time it was not that bad.”
By the morning of May 9, the community of Glennallen started flooding including several homes, agency offices, and private businesses. At least one resident was forced to relocate, choosing to move in with family. The full extent of the damage has not yet been reported.
Eventually, according to Severs, the fire station became a total loss, after 18 inches of water ran through the whole structure. Equipment had already been removed from the structure to avoid damage to it.
The Red Cross and the LEPC mobilized to provide emergency housing if needed in the area. However, there was not a need within the community.
Severs shared that although there was some damage to private homes and businesses, it could have been much worse.
“There was potential for every home and business tied to the septic system to be affected,” Severs said. “Glennallen Improvement Corporation septic pumps were pumping 24/7 throughout the whole situation. If that was an issue, it would have shut down all the septics.” He added that the Glennallen Improvement Corporation has since ordered a backup pump in case of a failure.
Both the Glennallen Improvement Corporation and the LEPC submitted requests to Governor Mike Dunleavy and the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to include Glennallen in the governor’s emergency disaster declarations. EOC representatives came to Glennallen on Wednesday and reported back to the governor in support of the recommendation.
Glennallen was included in the May 13 emergency declaration, which also included several other areas affected by flooding and landslides around the state (See press release on Pg. 7.) This allows individuals affected by the flooding to apply for funds to repair damages.
As of May 16, according to Severs, “The flooding has receded and although there is still a potential for flooding, I do not believe that we are still in a crisis situation like we were last week.”
According to Jeremy Zidek, Public Information Officer for Alaska Emergency Management, affected individuals will be able to apply for disaster assistance either through a web portal at ready.alaska.gov or over the phone at (907) 428-7072 or (907) 428-7075.
Zidek said that individuals applying for assistance should gather documentation before registering for disaster assistance.
Once it is safe to enter a dwelling, applicants should take photos and videos of damage and make a detailed inventory of items or structures damaged. They should contact their insurance company and verify if any of the damage is covered by insurance before registering for assistance from the state.
Zidek said the state encourages residents to make repairs on their own and in a timely manner. Residents who make repairs should be sure to keep before and after photos, contractor estimates and invoices and materials receipts.
Applicants can be renters or homeowners. They may be asked for ownership documentation, leases in the case of renters, titles, insurance information, and identification documents for anyone dwelling in the residence.
Zidek encouraged anyone with even minor damage to register for disaster assistance with the state before the deadline of July 12. If the damage turns out to be greater than initially thought, it is easier to amend a claim than it is to start a new one after the deadline has passed.
According to Severs, the LEPC will work to disseminate additional information in the coming days and weeks.
Severs would like to remind the community to “just be prepared. You never know what emergency may come. Although there was not much we could do to control it, the residents of the Copper Basin need to be prepared for any emergency.”
Note: This article was changed from its original version to reflect updated disaster relief application information from the State of Alaska.
Photos by John Tierney
