KOTZ 720 AM and KINU 89.9 FM --- Based in Kotzebue, serving Northwest Alaska and beyond!

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

KOTZ on-air interviews

Coastal flooding preparation

By Lenora Ward

Published October 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM EDT

Representatives from the Northwest Arctic Borough and City of Kotzebue. (From right to left) — Representatives from the Northwest Arctic Borough and City of Kotzebue. (From left to right) Public Safety administrator Jaycee Schaeffer, VIF Manager Hiram Walker, VPSO coordinator Darrell Hildebrand, Northwest Arctic Borough Fire Chief Tristan Ferguson, Kotzebue City Council Mayor Derek Haviland-Lie and Melissa Ivanoff, assistant to the Mayor Moto.

Representatives from the City of Kotzebue and the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly talk with KOTZ's Lenora Ward about how they are preparing for the incoming storm and potential flooding.

Related Content

Statewide News

Coastal storm flooding hits Kotzebue-area communities

Desiree Hagen

Many residents posted on social media about the flooding – with one lifelong resident who lives by Kotzebue’s sea wall calling the flooding “the highest water (they’ve) ever seen.” Residents also reported flooding near the community’s hospital, lagoon, teacher housing and the northside of town.
KOTZ Local News

Kotzebue airport reopens as flood damage assessments and cleanup continue

Desiree Hagen

Officials said the flooding destroyed Kotzebue’s dock, several roads and bridges and dozens of structures at multiple subsistence camps. The force of the storm also transported four large dumpsters to a sandbar in Kotzebue’s lagoon. City officials said two homes were also destroyed, displacing a family of six and a disabled elder.