Early assessment puts Flood cost at $11.9 million

The State of Alaska is making disaster assistance centers available to flood-affected individuals to apply for assistance grants in several areas throughout the Mat Su Borough in the coming week. In Talkeetna, residents can submit applications to begin the application process for grants to recover losses from the flood, on Monday and Tuesday at the Upper Susitna Senior Center.

The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has identified 13-hundred structures affected by Septembers flood disaster. As homeowners continue to slog through paperwork for disaster claims, FEMA has stepped in to join the state’s recovery efforts.

The State of Alaska has asked FEMA to join in a Preliminary Damage Assessment of areas of the state affected by flooding. According to Jeremy Zidek of the Alaska Department of Homeland Security, early estimates put costs for response and damage repair at 11.9 million dollars.

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With FEMA’s assistance, the State expects more solid numbers to determine whether to apply for Federal assistance, which would double the amount available to individuals for disaster assistance grants to cover lost property including vehicles, structures, damaged appliances, as well as costs for repairs.

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For individuals seeking assistance, several Disaster Assistance locations are open this week and next around the state, and DHS has a hotline for anyone who can’t make it to the location. Zidek stresses that anyone who wants to make an application must do so before the November 20th Deadline.