AVCP issues request for damage assessment for communities impacted by Typhoon Merbok

This is a letter dated September 17, 2022 to the Honorable Governor Dunleavy from the Association of Village Council Presidents.

Dear Governor Dunleavy,

Thank you for declaring a disaster for communities impacted by Typhoon Merbok.

Our communities are currently experiencing imminent danger due to extremely high water and winds. Many of our community members have shared that they have never experienced such a storm in their lifetime.

We know that the State Emergency Operations Center has been activated and will continue to work with our communities directly impacted by this devasting storm.

On behalf of our region, I am respectfully requesting that the State activate the National Guard to do an assessment of critical infrastructure damage by the storm in all effected coastal village and here in Bethel. We believe the storm has impacted significant elements of infrastructure including community water tanks, power plants, telephone and electric poles, landfills, water/sewer systems, clinics, fuel storage tanks, emergency response equipment, airstrips, docks, post offices, public safety buildings, telecommunication infrastructure, roads, boardwalks, schools, head start buildings, housing needs and community grocery stores.

We also request a task force through the State Emergency Operations Center to respond to the short term and long term needs of the communities impacted by the storm.

The National Weather Service termed this storm as the “worst case scenario.” We do not know the extent of the damage, but we do know all our communities have been impacted.

AVCP is working on our end to provide available assistance to the people of the region. We are doing our very best to provide information to villages in alignment with local media.

Governor, I cannot emphasis enough, the critical need for the State’s assistance. Lives, livelihoods, and communities are at stake.

Sincerely, Vivian Korthuis – Chief Executive Officer

ASSOCIATION OF VILLAGE COUNCIL PRESIDENTS

Copies of this letter were also sent to Senator Lyman Hoffman, Representative Tiffany Zulkosky, Congresswoman Mary Peltola, and Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski.