The National Weather Service expects a storm will flood more than 400 miles of Northwest Alaska’s coastline this week. Over a dozen communities are in the flood zone, including Shishmaref, Deering, Kotzebue, Noorvik, Selawik, Kiana, Kivalina, Red Dog Mine, Point Hope, Point Lay, Diomede, Wainwright, Utqiaġvik, Savoonga, Gambell and parts of the Seward Peninsula.
The National Weather Service’s coastal flood warning is in effect until Friday morning. The agency expects waters to peak on Wednesday afternoon at up to 9 feet above the normal high tide line in some areas, with winds gusting up to 60 miles per hour. The agency also warned of significant beach erosion. Water is expected to begin rising on Tuesday evening.
“If you notice that the water is starting to creep into your yard, that's the time to start probably looking for shelter,” said Darrell Hildebrand, village public safety officer coordinator for the Northwest Arctic Borough.
Within Kotzebue, weather service officials said levels could be comparable to last October’s flood, when over 80 Kotzebue residents evacuated, and two families’ homes collapsed.
“So many people cried wolf for so many years, and then the storm finally came and I don't believe that we were prepared adequately for it,” Hildebrand said. “This year we are making sure we are adequately prepared.”
Hildebrand said the borough is preparing equipment, gathering cots and bedding and sending pallets of drinking water to Deering and Kivalina. He said the borough is working with those communities and the City of Kotzebue on an emergency plan. City officials say they plan on opening up Kotzebue’s high school gym as a shelter if residents need to evacuate.
Hildebrand said the borough is also offering to help Kotzebue residents move large equipment like snowmachines or 4-wheelers to higher ground. He recommends securing loose items around homes because of the high winds in the forecast.
The borough is also working on potential funding for damages.
“It would be a good time in the preparation stages to take pictures and videos of your property and your houses,” said Tristan Ferguson, Northwest Arctic Borough fire chief. “That way, if it does get damaged, you have the documentation that is needed for the state assistance and public assistance.”
Borough representatives are also warning residents that evacuation routes could flood, and they should prepare for power outages and to stock up on potable water and supplies. They encourage residents to make sure they have things like medications and diapers, in case there is a prolonged emergency.
Officials recommend preparing a bag with emergency supplies, important documents and sleeping bags in the event of an evacuation.
