Floods

Federal officials recently announced that households that lost food purchased with federal food assistance will be able to have some of it replaced.

After assessing the damage in multiple communities, officials said the region is moving quickly to make repairs as winter sets in.

We've updated our list of how you can support evacuees — from volunteering and donating supplies to offering financial assistance.

“A lot of debris was washed up on Front Street again, a lot like last year,” said Kotzebue Mayor Derek Haviland-Lie. “The north end of town was hit pretty hard. We are hoping to address some of that before the next storm.”

Northwest Arctic Borough Fire Chief Tristan Ferguson, Kotzebue City Council Mayor Derek Haviland-Lie and Melissa Ivanoff, assistant to the Mayor Moto talk about flood damage and the upcoming storm.

Water could rise as much as 10 feet above the high tide line, according the National Weather Service

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.With 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.

Communities in Northwest Alaska have been scrambling to deal with flooding and erosion.

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.

Weeks of rain have caused the Kobuk River and nearby lake to overflow, flooding the community of around 200 people about 150 miles east of Kotzebue.