galena, alaska flood

In May 2013, Galena suffered a freak catastrophic flood when the spring breakup on the Yukon River caused an ice jam approximately 20 miles downstream, backing up the river and affecting 90% of homes in the city. The total for those repairs is $3,656,200. Homes in the town of Galena, Alaska, flood as a result of winter ice breakup on the Yukon River. The decision not to apply federal funding to non-emergency efforts within Old Town supported the community’s previous decision to relocate buildings to lower-risk areas, an effort that had started prior to this disaster with the relocation of community buildings to New Town. New Jersey communities also adopted stricter elevation requirements for development within floodplains. The elevation ordinance passed by the City Council exceeded the federal recommendation by one foot, demonstrating the community’s commitment to mitigation and resiliency. Within tidal floodplains, the lowest floor of the structure had to be elevated at least one foot above the highest state- or FEMA-designated 100-year flood level. The Municipality of Galena, AK Galena, Alaska, located in Yukon-Koyukuk, has a population of 462. Galena residents, volunteers and contractors worked hard throughout the summer to repair and rebuild as many homes and facilities as quickly as possible. The Yukon River community of Galena could be relocated out of flood danger if a land transfer being pushed by Alaska Congressman Don Young goes through. The original town site, known as Old Town, remained partially occupied and at extreme risk from high velocity water and ballistic ice due to its location between the levee and the river. Galena’s ownership of this land allows for greater flexibility in its future development. Given Galena’s geographic isolation and the prominence of baseball as a social tradition among residents, restoring the ball field quickly became a top priority for local leadership. Snow melt in spring time presents a flood hazard to many around the world. Galena following a flood. “It’s scary,” said flood evacuee Shane Edwin to the Alaska News Miner after escaping the waters with little more than the clothes on his back. A school was es… “A … The expedited rebuilding process involved significant logistical challenges. Galena, Alaska (PRWEB) April 02, 2014. Galena following a flood. National Guard called to evacuate flooded Alaska town. The parcel has the potential to accommodate recreational, residential, or other uses. The City of Galena, Alaska was established in 1918 as a supply and trans-shipment point for lead ore (galena) mining prospects south of the Yukon River. A FEMA grant will reimburse 75% of the total project, with the State of Alaska Disaster Relief Fund covering the remaining cost. The base was officially closed in 2010, and the land and facilities were transferred to the City of Galena, the Galena School District, and the Alaska Department of Transportation. Our team would appreciate your feedback on these case studies and accompanying teaching notes. ... Floods in Galena, Alaska. Alaska has not seen a major ice jam flood since 2013, when an ice jam formed at Bishop Rock on the Yukon River on May 26 and backed up more than 40 miles of ice before it broke six days later. Major Flood Stage: 128: Moderate Flood Stage: 126: Flood Stage: 124: Action Stage: 119: Low Stage (in feet):-9999 These five priorities formed the structure of the recovery effort. (Established by Galena residents at recovery-focused, facilitated community meetings.). Viewed from above, the flood transformed the landscape. Efforts to rebuild Galena after flooding last spring are running out of time, and residents are pointing at an unresponsive bureaucracy as a key reason. Flood hazard information for communities in Alaska is available through the Floodplain Management Services Program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Alaska District. The Innoko National Wildlife Refuge is to the southwest. Other rural communities facing significant recovery challenges may look to the Galena ball field project as an example of a non-traditional recovery initiative that greatly contributed to the long-term resiliency of the disaster-affected community. The community recently held a fundraiser at the baseball field to assist a local family with unexpected medical expenses. Flood Insurance in Galena on YP.com. Galena is on the north bank of the Yukon River. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for the best Internet Service Providers (ISP) in Galena, AK. Flood insurance study : city of Galena, Alaska, Yukon-Koyukuk Division.. [United States. The recovery effort also required an expedited rebuilding process due to snow and freezing temperatures that typically begin in late September and involved significant logistical challenges. The ball field restoration project was of great importance to Galena residents because of its ability to facilitate community gatherings and recreational opportunities. Around 30 Galena residents participated in the meetings, which were conducted by the LDRC and a FEMA Alternative Dispute Resolution facilitator. The Galena ball field is located at the southeastern corner of the local airstrip. Welcome to the official website for Galena, Alaska! In collaboration with the State Coordinating Officer (SCO), the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) determined that the investment of federal funds for permanent construction in Old Town, where no effective mitigation options are available, would violate 44 CFR Part 9.2, of E.O. Homes and other buildings are shown flooded in Galena, Alaska. The location was on the site of a former Athabaskan fish camp recorded in the 1880 Census map as Natulaten. Alaska Mental Stress on Rise as Coastal Towns Confront Surging Climate Threats. Download Audio Ed … That volunteer, Scott Smith, mobilized more volunteers from Anchorage, and started “Pallets with a Purpose” so that people in southcentral Alaska could donate supplies specifically needed by our volunteer crews in Galena. In New Jersey, a key activity under the state’s Supportive Services Program was the distribution of grants for elderly or mobility-disabled households to install accessibility improvements during post-disaster reconstruction efforts. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.. Learning Objective: Share the steps taken and lessons learned by a rural community in central Alaska to integrate resilience into rebuilding efforts and be better prepared for future flood events. In Galena, residents only required a doctor’s note to obtain an Americans with Disabilities (ADA) compliant ramp for their elevated homes, but no residents requested the installation of a ramp. Similar to Galena, New Jersey communities were highly motivated to reduce property risk after destructive flooding resulting from Superstorm Sandy in 2012. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Yukon River Rescue – Facebook Group. The SCO and FCO conducted a community meeting to explain the limited federal funding for Old Town and provide residents with a forum for questions and concerns. Tiny Galena, Alaska, is struggling after 90 percent of its buildings were destroyed by Yukon River flooding that overwhelmed the 400-resident, mostly Native village. A massive ice jam on the Yukon River sent a flood of water into Galena, Alaska, inundating most of the town and forcing the evacuation of nearly the entire population. Alaska – Galena Risk Reduction Case Study, Environmental & Historic Preservation Guidance, Work With the National Flood Insurance Program, Voluntary & Community-Based Organizations, Environmental Planning & Historic Preservation, National Business Emergency Operations Center, Interagency Recovery Coordination Case Studies, Louden Tribal Council and City of Galena Hazard Mitigation Plan 2015, Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM), Alaska Department of Community & Economic Development (DCRA), United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Increase the number of leaders and skilled workers. Evacuating kids, elders, and sled dogs was a significant challenge for the community, and convinced Galena leadership that risk reduction, safer homes, and smarter development needed to be a high-priority during recovery. Located roughly 270 miles due west of Fairbanks in interior Alaska, Galena is a regional education and transportation hub on the banks of the Yukon River. Galena continues to clean up from devastating Yukon River flooding +8 GALENA, Alaska — In Galena, progress takes the form of ruined insulation, wooden siding and … Divided into small discussion groups, the community members were able to discuss their goals and potential projects directly with state and federal leadership. Funds go to the American Red Cross. Plans for the implementation of this “top priorities” were developed in partnership with the LDRC and the project champions on the Recovery Planning Committee. The Galena Air Base was constructed in World War II as a stopover point for U.S. Air Force planes flying between the United States and Russia. By ERICA ISAAC and HALEY OKTOYAK, staff writers There was a minor flood at Ptarmigan Hall over winter break. Deliberate public engagement in decision-making processes, along with clear and consistent communication, are critical steps for successful community recovery. Broken pipes flood floor at Ptarmigan Hall over break. That volunteer, Scott Smith, mobilized more volunteers from Anchorage, and started “Pallets with a Purpose” so that people in southcentral Alaska could donate supplies specifically needed by our volunteer crews in Galena. Galena households are made up of 233 men and 229 women. Restoring recreational facilities are not typically priority projects during recovery, so the Galena City Manager knew she would have to carefully advocate its importance to federal and state programs that could help fund the repairs. Its airstrip was built as a base during World War II and serves as the main method of getting in and out of Galena. The TelAlaska central office wasRead more Soil conditions and permafrost make the Old Town area of Galena prone to erosion and liquefaction, both during flood events and as flood waters recede. During the spring break up in May of 2013, flood waters carrying massive ice chunks from the Yukon River inundated nearly 90% of the homes, businesses, and government facilities in the small town of Galena, Alaska. The population has declined 32% since 2000. 11988 which directs FEMA to avoid adverse impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of floodplains and to avoid direct and indirect support of floodplain development. The Alaska Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) was able to expedite the contract for performing the elevations so that the work could be done before the winter. In January 2014, Galena hosted two evening community potlatch meetings, to ensure residents had a say in defining recovery goals and projects. The elevation project allowed residents to remain in their homes safely, no longer fearful of losing their house or having to evacuate during the next flood event. The residents of Galena have long recognized the town’s vulnerability. Significant Alaska Floods + 1967 Tanana Valley Flood + Yukon River Ice Jam Flood, May 2013. As KUAC’s Dan Bross the village, which is still recovering from a major flood 2 years ago, will likely approach moving with multiple steps over time. Wikipedia Citation Please see Wikipedia's template documentation for further citation fields that may be required. Once construction began, several residents identified concerns about construction methods and materials used to mitigate future hazards, as well as the resulting increased cost to rebuild. Snow melt in spring time presents a flood hazard to many around the world. Galena leadership also pursued the acquisition of a parcel of land still owned by the Air Force, located 11 miles from the river and out of the high flood risk area. California. These solutions-based conversations helped residents brainstorm feasible projects, identify goals, and list community needs. Location in Alaska. From the initial list of 200 projects, the LDRC and the Recovery Planning Committee prioritized the top 30 items. The U.S. LockA locked padlock Additional meetings, as well as community visits, were held to answer questions about the elevation project and funding and encourage homeowners to participate in the elevation project. ANTHC environmental health and engineering staff were a large part of the recovery effort and hope to share their lessons learned with other villages and Tribes before disaster strikes. Recreation is also an important long-term strategy that can help survivors overcome disaster-related stress. The result has been increased preparedness for future flood disasters of this scale, and an assurance that future construction projects in Galena will meet minimum safety standards. The Guidance Development Office (GDO) develops and distributes FEMA’s Interagency Recovery Coordination (IRC) case studies. The ball field project was an important step in restoring that sense of community within the town of Galena. The last two weeks in September I was in Galena, Alaska. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.. Learning Objective: Discuss the benefits of a non-traditional recovery project in a rural, remote location and analyze how this community-building project contributed to overall resilience for the Galena community. Hundreds of contractors and volunteers arrived by air requiring temporary lodging and feeding. At the same time, Galena families who rely on subsistence food also had to make time for fishing and hunting to build up their winter food stocks. A school was established in the mid-1920s and a post office opened in 1932. The Koyukon Athabascans had seasonal camps in the area and moved as the wild game migrated. 1983, Flood insurance study [microform] : city of Galena, Alaska, Yukon-Koyukuk Division Federal Emergency Management Agency [Washington, D.C.?] A massive ice jam on the Yukon River sent a flood of water into Galena, Alaska, inundating most of the town and forcing the evacuation of nearly the entire population. Galena. The Yukon river is flooding in Galena as an ice jam at a notorious bend called Bishop’s Rock is keeping water high near Galena. Where? He’s in Galena and says the water started coming up rapidly this afternoon. Since its founding in 1834, The Gazette has been THE information resource for Jo Daviess County residents. Homes and other buildings are shown flooded in Galena, Alaska, May 27, 2013, in this picture released by the National Weather Service. By Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks The state is reporting progress in Galena, as the community cleans up from major flooding. ... Galena is a town in Alaska, United States. The event forced nearly all of the 472 residents to evacuate by air to Fairbanks and Anchorage as waters quickly rose and local roads became impassable. California. Location in Alaska. There are no roads leading to the town. Ed Plumb is a hydrologist with the National Weather Service. The Guidance Development Office (GDO) develops and distributes FEMA’s Interagency Recovery Coordination (IRC) case studies. April and early May 2013 were the coldest in decades in Interior Alaska. Hundreds of contractors and volunteers arrived by air requiring temporary lodging and feeding. These improvements included ramps, rails, and elevators that will ensure vulnerable elderly populations can easily get in and out of their homes before, during, and after a disaster. Collectively, Galena residents identified over 200 projects for consideration. Galena residents were using boats and buses to evacuate on Monday night as floodwaters from the Yukon River rose in the Interior Alaska community. Two and a half years after Galena was stuck by catastrophic spring floods, the community is returning to normal with nearly all of the public facilities restored and rebuilt. Keep up-to-date on immediate needs and logistics. Climate & Environment. The Galena Gazette is locally owned and provides the depth and breadth of coverage of Jo Daviess County you expect from a quality community weekly paper. To get in contact with our team, please email FEMA-RECOVERY-ICD-GDO@fema.dhs.gov. Galena Flood Relief. Within 10 days of the flood surge, the first volunteer from Galena Rebuilders flew from Anchorage to help. Baseball is an important pastime in Galena and the entire interior Alaska region. The Galena City Manager and Louden Tribal Administrator  worked closely with the State Hazard Mitigation Officer to identify and scope eligible at-risk homes for elevation using the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and funds from the State of Alaska. Federal and state agencies continued to support the recovery effort after FEMA regional personnel transitioned back to steady-state duties. The restoration and improvement of the ball field was essential to restore morale and bring the community together to successfully recover from the flood’s impacts. Alaska DHSEM funded an additional nine elevations. The IRC team committed to honoring the projects as written by the community. The TelAlaska central office wasRead more Supplies come by the river or by airplane. Additional funding came in the form of a $25,000 grant from the Rasmuson Foundation, an organization focused specifically on improving the quality of life of Alaskans. Business. 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