President Obama Declares Flood Disaster in Alaska
Good news today for those impacted by the historic flooding in interior Alaska. President Obama has officially declared a disaster, making it possible for those in need to seek federal assistance. I know that several state and federal agencies have been working hard to cross the Ts and dot the Is so this could be possible. Here’s hoping the news brightens the spirits of those who have lost so much.
“I am pleased the president and his administration are recognizing the dire circumstances experienced by many Alaskans impacted by this flooding. We welcome the federal assistance to help residents and communities put their lives back together,” Sen. Begich said.
Sometimes it’s kind of nice to have “the feds” around. Just sayin’.
Here is the press release from the White House:
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Alaska and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by flooding and ice jams beginning on April 28, 2009, and continuing.
The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in The Alaska Gateway Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA), the Kuspuk REAA, the Yukon Flats REAA, and the Yukon-Koyukuk REAA.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Federal funding also is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the flooding and ice jams in the Alaska Gateway Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA), the Kuspuk REAA, the Lower Kuskokwin REAA, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the Yukon Flats REAA, and the Yupiit REAA.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Douglas G. Mayne as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.
FEMA said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and additional counties may be designated for assistance after the assessments are fully completed.
FEMA said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.govor by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
Hurray for yukonbushgrma – your house is in pieces and isn’t that weird that this is a good thing right now? Give that Canadian volunteer team a big hug for those of us who can’t be there. I love Canadians, always have – they are the BEST to have as neighbors!
Thank you for the updated list. How is the dog food situation?
@ yukonbushgrma –
SO glad to see you here. Glad you had help getting the house down. Best wishes on getting going on the next steps!
So glad the federal disaster declaration was possible. Whew.
Good on the Prez.
Take care neighbor.
Good to see you back, Yukonushgrma!
Made my small donation as soon as the e-address was posted to use on PayPal … Went through the Flood of 93, and know there will be so many things y’all will need, and how long it’ll take for things to get somewhat back to normal.
Prayers for you!
YukonBushgrma – I did a double-take when I saw your atavar!!! So good to see you on the blog again!
Good for your senators and all who helped get the paperwork right and get it pushed through channels
And wheres Sarah?
Having a b**ch fit about a comedian.
I love my President. I haven’t said that in a very long time.
I can’t WAIT till GINO has to thank him. I wonder if she’ll stop being so bitter and use at least “Mr. Obama” if she can’t bring her sucky self to say “President Obama”. (I hate that she degrades him by calling him by his last name only).
This is one of the many things I love about America; Government is always emergency-prepared, when the need arises, flooding, natural disasters. Sense of unity, from one coast to the other.
So sorry for your losses and glad you are getting the help you need.
I do have a question though. Isn’t you governor Sarah going to be really, really mad at Obama for sticking his federal government nose in and getting all up into your business even though you need and want it? Especially since he went behind her back while she wasn’t even in the state to defend your right to refuse any help from those guys in Washington DC? Or was she too busy worrying about what to wear on her whirlwind tour of the eastern US and fighting with Letterman?
#2 seattlefan Says:
“This is great news, but honestly, why did it take so long?”
The story I hear from the State people here in Eagle (whom I believe – and they’re good people) is that they had to assess the damage all the way down the Yukon River before they could determine the extent of the damage. Our towns are small, so it’s not like a hurricane hitting New Orleans. Thank goodness they realized this truly was a major disaster in anyone’s book, even if the communities were small.
#3 Paula Says:
“What a waste of flour battered Bibles.”
hahahahahahahaha !!!!!!!!1
#6 justafarmer Says:
“My advice from personal experience: ….”
Justafarmer — your advice is VERY much appreciated! Don’t worry – we’ll keep you in mind. We’ve already been advised to make our lists and keep every receipt.
#13 Gramiam Says:
“Hooray for our president and my former Governor, Janet Napolitano, Sec. of Homeland Security…”
I am sure that Sec. Napolitano was instrumental in this – and I’m also sure, from what I’ve heard, that she helped to move it through quickly. It’s a good administration we’ve got.
……and HUGZ BACK to you!!!
#18 Martha Unalaska Yard Sign Says:
“HURRAY for Eagle and Upper Yukon residents! HURRAY for a great president and staff! HURRAY for everyone who has contributed prayers, food, dog stuff, tools, building supplies, everything!”
Martha UYS, no one could have said that better!
#22 Mike from Everett Wa Says:
“I’m curious, did palin ever ask for emergency relief for the flooding in the first place? I honestly don’t remember, I’ve been sick lately.”
Hi Mike — oh goodness, I hope you’re feeling better. My recommendation: go see a chiropractor or a massage person. We had a visiting chiro here a few weeks ago, and she did wonders for me.
Yes, Gov. Palin did request that PO declare a federal disaster. I think she requested it on May 25. (However, that was after some locals here had told her that we could ‘take care of ourselves’ and didn’t need those nasty feds in here meddling in our affairs ……)
#23 Martha Unalaska Yard Sign Says:
“And I should mention the very sweet card I received from the “Residents of the Eagle Area” for sending a box of personal care items and dog stuff. It was a lovely Alaskan card depicting a cabin scene under the dancing winter northern lights, and one of the volunteers took the time to write a very nice thank you inside.”
Martha UYS, I know that card well! It’s of our historic St. Paul’s log church, gold rush era ca. 1901. Photo is by Todd Salat, who does a lot of northern lights photography. I was here the day he took that photo. The disaster operation purchased 100 of those cards from our historical society to send as thank you notes. So glad you were a recipient!
#27 Baker’s Dozen Says:
“Socialism!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Good thing, too. Glad a few of my tax $$ are going to you guys! Perhaps a few of your will flow my way some day. We’ve got each other’s backs–at least when the governors don’t mess it up.”
Many times in the past few weeks, hubby and I have said that we owe so much to so many. The next time someone is in need, we will be there to help in any way we can. We never know when our lives will be turned upside down overnight. How thankful we are for every bit of help we receive, even the smallest little bit. Just a few words of encouragement mean so much at a time like this.
#33 justafarmer Says:
“If our Yukon mudpups get any crap from FEMA, PM me in the forum. I’ll let you know how to git-r-down (been there and know how it works!)”
Justafarmer — you can BET I’ll keep you in mind! Stay tuned. Bless you.
=================
And to all of you — heartfelt, humongous thanks. We can never tell you all how much you have done for us. It’s going to be a long road back, but this federal declaration is a big start along that road. (Just imagine that we’ll have to get used to doing a bit of paperwork…)
Things are still quite crazy here, and I haven’t had time to write much. Give me some time, and I’ll give you an update at some future time.
Recommendations for donations right now:
– cash donations to the Rebuild Eagle fund – (log in to http://www.paypal.com and donate to [email protected])
– still can use tools for demolishing buildings
– brooms, dustpans, trash bags
– and at some time in the future, furniture and appliances (large and small) – which will of course be difficult to send through the mail!
Short update on YBG’s place: Our house is totally DOWN! A great group of volunteers came over from Dawson City, Yukon (CANADA!) and they had our house taken down in 1.5 days. Can you believe that? We now have three piles of stuff to be somewhat sorted through, but one of them is primarily trash. So we are getting organized!
LOVE ALL YOU GUYS!
YBG
‘Exceptional’ floods hits AK villages
Faith-based organizations respond to help restore homes, finding food for sled dogs.
http://www.disasternews.net/news/article.php?articleid=3902
This is an excellent report that I found when I went looking for a timeline. It appears that the damage in Eagle had been assessed at $4.9m as at May 31. Given completion time for reports, and necessary budget allocations and imlementation plans, the Feds haven’t been sitting on their hands.
Heckuvajob, Mr President. 🙂
Twitter & Sarah
the perfect match….
Both can only tweet 140 characters at a time…
rocket Says:
June 11th, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Where’s Sarah?
Seriously, whatever happened to her “Alaska First” mantra?
She is absolutely and categorically one of America’s greatest frauds.
___________________________________
She’ll be so happy she’s rated first in something. I’m sure she’ll see “friend” instead of “fraud.” 🙂
Where’s Sarah?
Seriously, whatever happened to her “Alaska First” mantra?
She is absolutely and categorically one of America’s greatest frauds.
She did her photo op with Trans Canada and Exxon, and will get the credit/ national recognition for bringing natural gas to the L48, saving the country’s economy and dependency on oil…blah, blah… She is just twisted beyond belief.
Sarah is on the Today Show tomorrow.
Canadian Neighbour
WOW! There it is, thanks so much, it was driving me potty.
BTW, not an open thread here, but I’ll be away until Saturday afternoon EST…
I’m a UK (University of Kentucky) Entrepreneurial Coaches Fellow (first class KECI in 2005!) and have an alumni meeting.
We work grassroots with our local folks to help them be successful in starting their own businesses. Our first & second classes were in double digit tobacco-producing counties in eastern Kentucky. We now have a third class in south central Kentucky and are working on our fourth class in other areas of Kentucky.
Our goal is to short-circuit the unemployment by enpowering the unemployed to go into business for themselves and be successful.
A few months ago at an alumni meeting, the questsion was “what businesses will be viable in this sinking economy?”
Everyone else were like deers in the headlights.
I said…auto engine/body repair, small engine repair, biomass, solar-wind-alternative energy, and on and on and on…
It’s a no-brainer! I’ve seen it happening here in the backwoods of Appalachia since 9/11…we’re back to socialist community barter system. My county has had double-digit unemployment for decades and that’s just the ‘official” numbers. We’re WAAAAY higher than that, here. The only “employed” people with a living wage here anymore are in local government or the school system. The rest of the folks are pretty much “under the radar”.
UK Lady
I use IE too and have learned over time when the sidebar goes missing, I look to the bottom of the page. If you scroll just below the comment box where you type, the side bar is down there!!
Oh, that’s right, Sarah’s life is one big tweeeeeeet now.
Good news. Here’s hoping this declaration makes life a little better for everyone recovering from the flooding. (Somebody should tell FEMA that we don’t have counties, though.)
Uh, where was Sarah?
YBG and everyone else in Eagle and up and down river should get a MAJOR grants from FEMA. When we had floods and the ice storm, MANY people here got new housing funding from FEMA, and many MANY others got major repair funds from FEMA.
If our Yukon mudpups get any crap from FEMA, PM me in the forum. I’ll let you know how to git-r-down (been there and know how it works!)
Yeah!!!!!
Sorry…that last post may have been OT. I got caught up in the moment. I’m still happy about the “feds” coming in to help out with all who desperately need it. Can someone please take her speech about the “feds” and put it up to what she will surely say about the federal assistance coming? That would be ‘gold’!!!.
It took so long because the Governor has been side-tracked with photo-ops and media appearances to focus on stuff going on at home. She is so un-politically correct, sets herself up to have to eat her words. After slamming the WH, and federal government, and then to have to rely on them for assistance. She is just soo soo dumb, and the stupid joke about her son, the snowmachine in Iraq. (What!?) I am so embarassed.
Thank you Snoskred, will ask UKman to sort out when he wakes up 🙂
“You must be using internet explorer – which hates the internet and always makes the sidebar go missing.”
“You must be putting up with Governor Fluffy, who hates most Alaskans and always makes the ethics go missing.”
Socialism!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good thing, too. Glad a few of my tax $$ are going to you guys! Perhaps a few of your will flow my way some day. We’ve got each other’s backs–at least when the governors don’t mess it up.
Mike from Everett Wa Says:
June 11th, 2009 at 8:36 PM I think it says even more about your gov, that she is tweetin about her today show appearance, and making alaska bend over for Exxon instead of being at home. She could be out there rebuilding, cooking, taking care of displaced families.. but Noooo.
********************
Yep…I think her permanent residence is on Twitter. I guess she thinks if she tweets about AK 50 times a day, that makes her relevant and in tune with Alaska. OMG…this woman is beyond belief and totally into a “high school” mentality. I really do feel sorry for Alaskans.
Can’t wait to see what Letterman does tonight and am looking forward to the bs we will be seeing on the Today show tomorrow. I hope Matt Lauer doesn’t do a “Hannity”.
You must be using internet explorer – which hates the internet and always makes the sidebar go missing. 🙂 Yes, when I load IE, the sidebar is missing 🙁 not sure why but we’ll nut it out.
Try Mozilla Firefox, it works a lot better. 😉
Does this mean yukonbushgrma gets help building a new house? I do hope so..
p.s. The right hand columns are not showing, is it just me?
And I should mention the very sweet card I received from the “Residents of the Eagle Area” for sending a box of personal care items and dog stuff. It was a lovely Alaskan card depicting a cabin scene under the dancing winter northern lights, and one of the volunteers took the time to write a very nice thank you inside.
Since I’m newly political, it’s easy for me to see why I avoided all this conflict and partisan crap all these years – good ‘ol generosity, compassion and appreciation don’t need to be defined by a political party. Good people give others a helping hand when needed, and if they don’t – then they deserve to fall down in dog poo with their mouths open.
I’m curious, did palin ever ask for emergency relief ffor the flooding in the first place? I honestly don’t remember, I’ve been sick lately.
I think it says even more about your gov, that she is tweetin about her today show appearance, and making alaska bend over for Exxon instead of being at home. She could be out there rebuilding, cooking, taking care of displaced families.. but Noooo.
She’s on the campaign trail all over again, going from place to place.
Lee323 – Well said. I can remember reading that “get even with Palin” bologna at that other site and thinking then they needed to stop the projection and get real. How refreshing that unlike their idol, PO is a class act putting the people of his country first.
Great News! Doing the Happy Dance for our friends who have been impacted by this nightmare.
seattlefan #2 and pearl89 #17
Why did it take so long was my first thought, too!
—
Anyway, sure great news for those affected!
HURRAY for Eagle and Upper Yukon residents! HURRAY for a great president and staff! HURRAY for everyone who has contributed prayers, food, dog stuff, tools, building supplies, everything! A big fat zerbitz and NO HURRAYS to the ditz who I do not need to name! That last one was just for good measure.
I, too, wonder why it took so long. I live in NC and we are devestated often by hurricanes. Usually, a federal state of disaster is declared immediately. Sometimes even while the hurricane is still howling. Seems like someone was a little slow in asking for help.
GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble Says:
June 11th, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Great news! So glad for those who are suffering from the breakup. Can’t wait to hear GINO’s thanks to the “feds”.
**********************************************************************************
GA Peach, do the words,”A cold day in hell” mean anything to you? Palin will say nothing that she can’t turn into a “rant” against the “FEDS”.
Great news! So glad for those who are suffering from the breakup. Can’t wait to hear GINO’s thanks to the “feds”.
Paula – “flour battered Bibles”
ROFLOL
That’s the best laugh I’ve had all week!
And thank goodness for that declaration. Even if it did take longer than seems right, it IS taking place now.
What a relief.
Hooray for our president and my former Governor, Janet Napolitano, Sec. of Homeland Security…..and a great big juicy raspberry for Alaska’s own GINO!! Most of all, great news for our friends and fellow mudpuppies who have been hurt by the break-up. About time you got some positive news. Hugz!!
I sure hope this helps everyone who had property damage.
it was like those troops in the audience either didn’t know who she was or didn’t get the snowmachine joke.
Or just was waiting for a punchline that never came.
She really can NOT tell a joke!
OT but it concerns Palin:
Palin’s shoutout on Colbert’s show was Wednesday night. Joe Biden’s came first. They both said the proud of the troops thing.
Biden then said “don’t give Colbert a sidearm, he dangerous enough already.” The crowd laffed loud.
Palin said “you’ll recognize my son Track, he’s the one driving the snowmachine.” Sorta dead silence.
Colbert went into “move on, move on” mode…
How wonderful for AK…Take that Sarah…Just read a really good article at Huff post..By.Robert J. Elisbeig..Sarah & Bristol 1 child left behind…This guy is cool…Lots of thunder and lighting here tonite..In my basement with my jammies on..Safest place in the house..:))
UH-OH. Palin’s fans will be bummed about this. They were so sure that PO would deny the declaration as a way to “get even with Palin” for vetoing the stimulus funds. Now they’ll have to come up with another cock-and-bull theory for his actions. It never occurs to them that they are projecting Palin’s own vindictive management style on to the Pres.
The Prez keeps taking care of business. Good going….but no big surprise….at least to those connected to reality.
Hurray for My Prez!!
YAY!!!
As someone who has benefited from more than one federal disaster declaration, this is GREAT news for those affected!
My advice from personal experience: make lists of what was lost (take photos of the damaged stuff if you can),keep receipts of EVERYTHING you had to replace (and I believe that will include the pressure washer and associated supplies, FEMA should reimburse all of that cost to the Rebuild Eagle Fund). Had to buy chainsaws, tools, fuel? FEMA should cover it, they did for us here in Kentucky.
Last disaster (ice storm of 2003) I got a direct grant from FEMA for a replacement chainsaw and a new generator. SBA came (on Memorial Day!) and gave me a less than 3% 30-year $7,000 (give or take) loan for losses not covered by FEMA.
No joke, good thing for Obama.
Palin, must be way busy deciding what to wear tomorrow for the Today Show.. No late breaking news at the Governors Site or Twitter.
Her priorities are transparent.
Perhaps the Guv should seriously consider ending her “low-key” tour and get-along home now. And I am forever grateful that we now have a President who is adept at getting things done ~ despite the heinous, politically-charged climate that we now face as a nation.
Palin ‘ll be fumin’ after her kids spent all weekend making cookies. What a waste of flour battered Bibles.
This is great news, but honestly, why did it take so long? I know the state has to request the status and funds. Hmmm…..did someone take a little too long to make that request? (Remembering the photo ops with the Gov. in the flooded areas saying how Alaskans are taking care of themselves and self-sufficient…blah…blah…blah)
Snark aside, I am so glad this is happening. I think people on this blog did more to calling attention to this situation and doing something about it than the Palin administration did…that is until they figured out they needed to do something.
Well – Mighty fine !!