By Kelly Isenor 

Nearly a month after the remnants of Typhoon Halong destroyed Kipnuk, Kwigillingok and Nightmute and significantly impacted other western Alaskan villages, the Red Cross continues to support those impacted by devastating floods. 

In times of disaster, the Red Cross relies on decades of experience getting emergency supplies to communities in need – things like tarps, bleach, mops and brooms that are easily loaded into an Emergency Response Vehicle and driven to impacted areas.  

But the unique geography of Alaska has forced the Red Cross and our federal, state, tribal and community partners to get creative. Less than 20% of Alaska is accessible by road, according to the Alaska Department of Transportation. That means, Red Cross volunteers had to board bush planes, helicopters and all-terrain vehicles to reach people stranded by the storm and learn about unmet needs first-hand.  

Those reconnaissance teams discovered unique needs as well. In addition to requests for cleanup and rebuilding supplies, residents of the impacted villages needed to replace generators and freezers which had been stocked with fish, meat and berries. They asked for fishing nets to replace those washed into the ocean and fish racks to store the catch in preparation for the long Alaskan winter. 

“For many from the outside, what it may look like is just a way for people to feed their families, but there’s so much more,” said Julie Swisher, Cultural Liaison for the Northwest Alaska Floods Disaster Relief Operation and Executive Director for the Red Cross of Alaska. “The people who live in the rural areas of Alaska take food from the land not just to fill their bellies, but as a cultural experience. They use food from the land to fill their freezers and feed their family year-round. From salmon and fish that run through the rivers, the berries on the grounds and the tundra, to the marine and land animals they eat, it’s all part of the way of life.”   

Even supplies that might be familiar to Red Cross volunteers have to be reconsidered in Alaska’s winter months. For example, bleach (an important tool for post-flood clean-up), has to be delivered in powdered form to prevent freezing. The powdered version can also be transported safely by air.  In addition to meeting immediate needs, we are now working with eligible individuals to provide financial assistance, coordinated through the State of Alaska.   

Residents of Nightmute, Kipnuk and Kwigillingok automatically qualify for assistance, while damage assessment is underway in additional villages to determine eligibility. Red Crossers are among those travelling to the villages to meet with impacted residents and assist with casework.   

Individuals seeking assistance must first apply with the state of Alaska, by calling 1-844-445-7131 or 907-427-7962. You can also apply online at ready.alaska.gov/IA  Individuals we have contact information for will receive an invitation to enroll in financial assistance directly from the Red Cross.