A powerful coastal storm swept through Northwest Alaska earlier this week, wreaking havoc on communities around Kotzebue. The storm, which first made landfall on Sunday, brought severe flooding and strong winds, causing the water level to rise 3 to 4 feet above the normal high tide line. As winds reached up to 55 mph, the city of Kotzebue and surrounding areas faced widespread damage, particularly along the coastline. Emergency responders reported that the storm had caused “significant beach erosion” and continued to complicate relief efforts as it lingered into Wednesday morning.
The city’s officials quickly mobilized emergency evacuation centers and urged displaced residents or those needing immediate evacuation to contact the city planning department. The City of Kotzebue collaborated with the local tribe to issue an emergency declaration. The airport in Kotzebue was rendered inaccessible due to ice being pushed onto the runway by the high winds, adding another layer of difficulty to ongoing response efforts. Many residents took to social media, sharing accounts of the flooding and describing it as the worst they had ever witnessed. Photos showed homes near the sea wall and fish camps on the northeast side of town being washed away by the relentless waters.
Minnie Norton, a longtime resident of Kotzebue, experienced the devastation firsthand. The storm’s relentless waves tore apart her house on Shore Avenue, pushing debris, soaked furniture, and even a brand-new washer toward the water. Norton recalled waking up around 9 a.m. on the morning of the flood to make breakfast when she noticed her neighbor’s shed drifting past her window. She and her nephew, who was staying with her, quickly realized the rising water was eroding the foundation of her home. Despite her husband James’ pleas over the phone to leave, moisture and the frigid temperatures had caused the front door to swell and freeze shut, trapping Norton inside.
As the morning progressed, the Nortons’ deck collapsed into Kotzebue Sound, followed by their Arctic entry. Around 11 a.m., emergency responders from the Kotzebue Fire Department arrived and managed to help Norton escape through her bedroom window. She was the first of 80 residents who were eventually evacuated from their homes. Her story mirrors the broader struggles of the city’s residents, who are now faced with the daunting task of rebuilding amid widespread damage to homes and public infrastructure.
With at least 30 houses still needing repairs, and ongoing concerns about snowmachines, soaked insulation, and winter preparation, the focus has shifted to the recovery effort. In response, the Alaska National Guard and the Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF) were activated to assist the community. Joint Task Force Kotzebue, consisting of soldiers from the Alaska Air and Army National Guard and the State Defense Force, arrived on October 26, 2024, to aid local emergency managers in assessing damage and determining supply needs for repairs. The team reviewed community maps to identify priority routes for cleanup and began inspecting severely impacted homes. Their assessments will play a crucial role in determining the next steps for rebuilding and ensuring that Kotzebue is better prepared for future storms.
The coordinated efforts between state and local agencies, along with the resilience of Kotzebue’s residents, reflect the strength of the community in the face of adversity. The presence of the Alaska State Defense Force and National Guard has been crucial in these efforts, providing not only manpower but also vital expertise and resources necessary for effective disaster response. Their involvement has ensured that damage assessments, debris removal, and infrastructure repairs are carried out efficiently, allowing local emergency managers to better prioritize and address the most critical needs. By working alongside local agencies and residents, the State Defense Force and National Guard have played an indispensable role in restoring normalcy to the affected communities, offering hope and relief to those grappling with the storm’s aftermath. Their swift response underscores the importance of having these forces readily available to assist in emergencies, ensuring that even remote and vulnerable communities like Kotzebue receive the support they need during times of crisis.
Members of the Alaska Organized Militia assigned to Joint Task Force Kotzebue review community maps to determine damage assessment priority routes in the Arctic Circle community of Kotzebue, Oct. 26, 2024. The team’s assessments and reports will help local emergency managers determine supplies needed to repair and rebuild structures impacted by severe flooding along Alaska’s West Coast. The 11-member team, including personnel from the Alaska Air and Army National Guard and the Alaska State Defense Force, was activated by the State Emergency Operations Center to support response and recovery efforts. (Alaska National Guard photo by Balinda O’Neal)
Members of the Alaska Organized Militia assigned to Joint Task Force Kotzebue assess priority-one damaged homes in the Arctic Circle community of Kotzebue, Oct. 26, 2024. The team’s measurements will help local emergency managers determine supplies needed to repair and rebuild structures impacted by severe flooding along Alaska’s West Coast. Many buildings in the area sustained foundation, sub-floor, and insulation damage due to the storm. The 11-member team, including personnel from the Alaska Air and Army National Guard and the Alaska State Defense Force, was activated by the State Emergency Operations Center to support response and recovery efforts. (Alaska National Guard photo by Balinda O’Neal)
Thank you to our personnel in Kotzebue for helping the community amid the flooding there. Seen here setting up cots for people who had to evacuate their homes.
Defend Alaska!
Sources: Alaska Public – Anchorage Daily News – Anchorage Daily News – DVIDS – Alaska State Defense Force
