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State amends disaster declaration for Southcentral storm to include Girdwood damages

A big hole in a road with water gushing through it.
Ruane Road offers the only road access to Girdwood’s critical infrastructure, including the transfer station and the wastewater treatment plant. On Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, the road was completely destroyed after days of heavy rain flooded California Creek. Photographed Monday, Nov. 1, 2021. (Emily Schwing)

The state of Alaska has amended a federal disaster declaration to add a funding request to repair Girdwood roads damaged by a late October storm. 

From late October to the first days of November, a heavy rain system brought a downpour to Southcentral Alaska. In late November, Gov. Mike Dunleavy declared a disaster in the Kenai Peninsula Borough in order to get federal funding to address damage from the storm and resulting landslides in the area, including damage to the Sterling Highway.  

During the same storm, the Girdwood area reported more than 16 inches of rain, while Portage Valley reported more than 23 inches. 

Anchorage emergency management officials say Girdwood’s Ruane Road, which is the only road to the area’s water utility facility, was damaged by the storm as were the Loveland and Echo Ridge Roads. In a statement, Mayor Dave Bronson said damages from the storm will cost an estimated $2.3 million to repair. 

If approved, the federal government could cover 75% of total costs related to the Southcentral Alaska storm. The governor’s current damage estimate, including Anchorage’s request, totals more than $5.3 million.

Wesley Early covers Anchorage at Alaska Public Media. Reach him at wearly@alaskapublic.org or 907-550-8421.