MSB, governor declare windstorm a disaster, activating state recovery programs

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB) and Governor Mike Dunleavy have declared a disaster following the windstorms that battered MSB last weekend, in which the Borough experienced wind gusts of at least 89 mph, and winds gusted in excess of 50 mph from Friday, December 5, through Tuesday, December 9.

As a result of the windstorm disaster, widespread damages have been reported to Borough and State infrastructure, public utilities, homes, and businesses that include debris on the roads, power lines, homes, and businesses, prolonged and sustained loss of the power to over 20,000 residents, as well as frozen pipes, and damages to vehicles.

“The Mat-Su Borough thanks those in the field throughout the weekend: lineman repairing power lines, first responders (law enforcement, fire, rescue and EMS) responding to calls for service, local and State road crews, and the American Red Cross, City of Wasilla, and Mat-Su College for sheltering.”

The disaster declaration was signed by MSB Mayor Edna DeVries and MSB Manager Mike Brown on December 9, with the Governor’s declaration coming the very next day.

The MSB disaster declaration cleared the way for State financial disaster assistance under the public and individual assistance programs to the Borough and its residents and businesses in its response and recovery from this event, specifically the State Disaster Recovery programs, including crucial State Individual Assistance (IA) and Public Assistance (PA) programs.

“The Mat-Su Borough has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to its people,” Governor Dunleavy said in a press release. He commended the quick response efforts including the utility crews worked around the clock to restore power, road crews swiftly cleared debris, and the opening of a warming center.

“The state is now acting just as quickly. We are activating our disaster programs to bring relief to individuals and families who suffered property damage, and to ensure the Mat-Su Borough is reimbursed for emergency and protective measures and infrastructure repairs. We stand with the Mat-Su community.”

The IA program is designed to provide grants to individuals and families that can be used to make necessary repairs to a primary residence, provide temporary housing for homeowners and renters, and address other disaster-related needs.

The PA program will help local jurisdictions, tribal entities, government agencies, etc, in restoring critical infrastructure to pre-disaster conditions.

The IA program will be available to eligible MSB residents in the next few days. The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will publish necessary information at www.ready.alaska.gov/Recovery/IA