Western Alaska Storm Response 2022

9/18/22 6:00pm

Alaska DOT&PF has been receiving updates from our M&O personnel and airport contractors in the communities throughout the day. We are getting a better picture of what damages have occurred, and have already started clearing debris and repairing damages. All of the reports we are discussing today should be considered preliminary, as we continue to learn more from our personnel on the ground.

Overall our airport system was resilient in the face of this storm event. With so many communities affected by this event, we have confirmed that we haven’t seen major damages on our runways, although we have had personnel out clearing debris off of runway surfaces, and are hearing that access to roads to the airports have been compromised. We also have airports in several communities with lighting systems out due to community wide power outages. (Shaktoolik, Scammon Bay, and Newtok are all locations where we are assessing runway damages).

Several roads in the region have been damaged, and to date we have heard about damages to roads and bridges in Nome, as well as outlying roads such as Nome Council. We have also heard about road damages in Hooper Bay, Shaktoolik, Elim, Napaskiak, Newtok, and others. We are reaching out to communities to further understand damages to local roads and bridges We are assembling personnel to address concerns regarding bridge damages.

DOT&PF is receiving reports of significant erosion, some experiencing over 100’ of shoreline loss, including Shaktoolik, Nome, Newtok, Scammon Bay, and Tununak. We are also working with communities to assess any port, dock and barge landing damages. (Bethel, Scammon Bay, Nome, and others).

We are already beginning to rebuild road and airport access infrastructure to provide a basic pioneer access to ensure connectivity. As we work to re-establish basic connectivity for DOT&PF infrastructure, we will be closely coordinating with SEOC, and offering DOT&PF resources to assist with damage assessments, and rebuilding efforts for local infrastructure.

Watch Governor Mike Dunleavy's Saturday, Sep. 17th press conference.

9/18/22 9:00am

Alaska DOT&PF is starting initial assessments of the state airports, roads, and buildings affected by the 2022 Typhoon.

Restoring access is critically important to communities, and in addition to our staff and contract staff in communities, we have dozens of heavy equipment operators ready for deployment to impacted areas.

We are also working with private sector contractors to bring them into the emergency repair work as soon as the needs are identified.

Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration has granted approval to utilize airport/AIP equipment off airport for direct response to the disaster areas.

Here’s what we know as of 9 a.m. 9/18/22. We will post an more extensive update later today after more assessement.

• Hooper Bay: Airport not under water, logs and debris washed up on airport.
• Chevak: Water on airport road.
• St. George: No report available.
• Scammon Bay: Significant portion of runway was submerged and is still partially underwater. Dock was submerged and both larger erosion rock and gravel surrounding it has washed away. Initial report is that likely sustained damage.
• Newtok: Airport may have significant damage due to how high the water was. Inspection pending.
• Nome: East front street in Nome is damaged debris, erosion, and pavement appears to be missing. Sepala road has debris and is flooded.
• Golovin: Berm overtopped, water to 6’ in community, old Golovin Airport is under water.
• Shaktoolik: Water breaking over the berm. West edge of airport has debris present and all west runway light are damage/broken. Approx. 1/3 of the Southern Safety area has damage due to erosion but runway is intact and usable.
• Unalakleet: Water is all around the runway to the east and is about 2 1/2 ft. from coming onto the runway. Debris has been getting on the road and ramp area.
• Kotlik: flooding.
• Nunam Iqua: flooding.
• Bethel: Road to the boat harbor is under water as well as portions of Alligator Acres.
• Tununak: No report available.                        
• Gambell: No report available.
• Napaskiak: The road to the generator plant is under water, community dump and dump road had portions that were submerged.
• Kongiganak: Airport lights went out.
• Deering Airport: No damage reported at this time.
• Little Diomede: No report at this time.
• Stebbins: No water reported on runway.
• St. Michaels: No Field Report need as airport is inland/elevated.
• Teller: No airport impacts expected.
• Point Hope: No report available.
• Shishmaref: No report available.

9/17/22 8:00pm

Please watch Governor Mike Dunleavy's Saturday, Sep. 17th press conference here. (best viewed using Firefox or Safari)

We'll post a situation update by mid morning on Sunday, Sept. 18.

9/17/22 12:00pm

The storm is ongoing and residents are still taking shelter in many communities.

• Hooper Bay: Airport not under water, logs and debris washed up on airport.
• Nome: Significant damage to East Front Street, significant debris hitting Snake River Bridge
• Unalakleet: reporting high water and debris on road and airport ramp.
• Skaktoolik: reporting flooding
• Kotlik: reporting flooding
• Nunam Iqua: reporting flooding, water within 2’ of airport
• Old Golovin Airport: reporting airport under water

The Governor has declared a disaster and the State of Alaska has formed an emergency operations center to respond. Damage assessment will begin as soon as the storm water recede.

We will post more information as it becomes available.

9/16/22 3:00pm

Alaska has an incredible network of airports, and when big storms happen or mechanical issues take place. DOT&PF airport employees make sure planes and pilots get the support they need to sit out the storm. This China Cargo 777 diverted to our King Salmon Airport this morning due to weather conditions, and the runway was just wide enough for the plane to turn around and get positioned for refueling. Floyd Wilson, our King Salmon Airport Foreman, assisted the pilots to make sure their rear tires didn't stray from the paved surface which could have resulted in a sticky situation. They'll be on their way later today."

A coastal flood warning is in effect from Friday, September 16, 2022 through Sunday morning, September 18, 2022 along the coast from the Bering Strait to Hooper Bay. Sea levels of 3-8 feet above the normal high tide along the Bering Strait coast, 8-11 feet near Nome, 9-13 feet near Golovin, 12-18 feet from Elim to Koyuk, 8-12 feet from Shaktoolik to Stebbins, and 3-8 feet from St. Michael to Hooper Bay.

South winds 40-60mph, with gusts as high as 90 mph expected in the Norton Sound and Yukon Delta.

IMPACTS:

Coastal flooding may occur, in addition to significant beach erosion. Watch for flying debris due to strong winds.

For current weather conditions, follow Alaska National Weather Service on Facebook or visit their website here:

• Alaska National Weather Service: www.weather.gov/arh/
• Anchorage Facebook: www.facebook.com/NWSAnchorage
• Fairbanks Facebook: www.facebook.com/NWSFairbanks

Alaska DOT&PF is monitoring conditions until the current coastal flood warning passes. Once the storm ends, we'll be assessing any damage to our infrastructure and make the necessary repairs.

If you would like to report road conditions to DOT&PF's Nome maintenance station, leave a message at (907) 443-3411. For more information on our Maintenance & Operations Stations visit: dot.alaska.gov/stwdmno/mno_nr.shtml

Resources

• Central Region M&O: dot.alaska.gov/stwdmno/mno_cr.shtml
• Northern Region M&O: dot.alaska.gov/stwdmno/mno_nr.shtml
• Southcoast Region M&O: dot.alaska.gov/stwdmno/mno_sr.shtml
• Alaska National Weather Service: www.weather.gov/arh/
• Anchorage: www.facebook.com/NWSAnchorage
• Fairbanks: www.facebook.com/NWSFairbanks