NFIB members in the Kashunamiut, Lower Yukon, Yupitt, Pribilof Islands, Lower-Kuskokwim, Bering Strait REAAs, and the Northwest Arctic and North Slope Boroughs affected by the West Coast Storm can apply to the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for financial assistance and temporary housing by December 9, the state has announced.

“The state’s Public Assistance disaster recovery program is designed to restore disaster damaged critical infrastructure to a pre-disaster condition,” informed Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office is an October 9 disaster proclamation news release. “Public assistance also reimburses eligible applicants for certain emergency response and emergency protective measures.”

Five days later, the governor announced an amendment to his disaster declaration expands recovery measures “to include the suspension of state fees associated with replacing necessary documentation such as licenses and registrations and waives late fees for state-administered loan and payment programs for Alaskans impacted by the disaster.”

In between, on October 22, the governor thanked President Trump for approving a federal disaster declaration for Alaska. “I want to thank him and his administration for approving the disaster declaration because now Alaskan families have local, state and federal support for rebuilding their lives in the months ahead.

“The federal disaster declaration authorizes a 100 percent federal cost share for all categories of relief assistance for the next 90 days. The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on all recovery operations and programs,” according to a news release issued by the governor’s office.

Because of the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Small Business Administration has suspended its activities, but once restarted, NFIB members are encouraged to check out its disaster assistance link. The same advice goes for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A one-stop-shopping link for disaster assistance is also provided by the federal government.

NFIB will continue to monitor disaster response efforts to keep our members informed.