The Aftermath of Typhoon Merbok

For Managing Director SCOTT HABBERSTAD of Alaska Airlines, this group effort exemplifies the ethos of Alaskans showing up for Alaskans. Whether the shipments contained diapers or generators, he said, “If we could take it, we did.”

DAN KNESEK, vice president of commercial operations of regional carrier Grant Aviation, pointed out, “When there’s an emergency like this, there are very few people who can actually help. We knew that would be the case, so we made ourselves available.” Thanks to the proactive communication between other carriers and partners, Grant Aviation was able to have planes on the ground in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta that Sunday, a day after the storm hit. For all the airlines, this was a high-priority effort.

As Vice President and General Manager GIDEON GARCIA of Northern Air Cargo said, “Many of our staff are from rural Alaska. This is personal for them. They’re supporting their family and friends.”

Two weeks after the storm hit, CVRF completed a vital infrastructure survey, which assessed damage to airports, facilities, community stores, post offices, and power. From there, our local community service representatives (CSRs) helped with two rounds of household surveys, cataloging major individual losses and damages.

The survey was shared with SENATOR LISA MURKOWSKI, who asked CVRF to serve as an intermediary between FEMA and community members, ensuring mutual understanding of the situation and the application for relief. This open line of communication allowed us to voice concerns that needed to be addressed, such as how to help residents apply for relief electronically in areas where internet connections are slow or unavailable.

We want to thank Senator Murkowski and her team for requesting that we fill this important role for the community. We would also like to thank the State of Alaska for running a parallel process to FEMA to provide additional relief funding to impacted residents, as well as SENATOR DAN SULLIVAN for pushing for 100% FEMA coverage.

While CVRF staff worked with government leaders, CVRF shops in Hooper Bay, Scammon Bay, and Chevak busily repaired outboards, boats, and other equipment. Our mechanics/welders (M/Ws), CSRs, and other staff both in-region and in Anchorage were vital to the success of the coordinated relief efforts, and we extend our gratitude to all involved for their tireless service and dedication in supporting their neighbors and all affected residents.

Hooper Bay lost significant infrastructure, including its emergency transmitter tower and the main KCUK Radio transmitter, which meant the community was out of radio signal range. CVRF granted nearly $15,000 to be applied toward the purchase and installation of a replacement.

“We are grateful to Coastal Villages Region Fund for having a radio engineer install the transmitter in Hooper Bay, and to those who are involved in providing us support,” said PETER TULUK, Kashunamiut School District and KCUK Radio General Manager. The new transmitter is located at Hooper Bay School and will remain there for any future emergencies that may impact the Hooper Bay area.

Since 1987, KCUK Radio has served Chevak, Hooper Bay, Scammon Bay and the surrounding areas as part of the Kashunamiut School District. KCUK provides community members with essential radio programming in both English and Yup’ik/Cup’ik languages, including regional, state and national news, weather reports, emergency announcements, public health and safety announcements, entertainment and talk shows, live broadcasts of local events from high school basketball games to student productions, and educational programs that reflect the values and beliefs of the Yup’ik/Cup’ik ways of life

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT