Following the storm that brought high winds and surf and damaged portions of the Homer Spit and the Ninilchik harbor, Governor Mike Dunleavy has officially declared a state disaster emergency for those areas.
In a press release, Rep. Sarah Vance shared the governor’s declaration, which, dated for Nov. 27, comes a little over 10 days after the storm damaged and shut down the Homer Spit and Ninilchick Harbor Roads and some businesses on Nov. 16.
The disaster declaration enables the waiver of certain state permitting requirements to allow the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) to expedite emergency repairs. It also directs the State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to collaborate with the Federal Highway Administration to secure emergency relief funding for both temporary and permanent repairs.
The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), in coordination with the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management, has deployed emergency management specialists to assess damages beyond those initially reported by DOT&PF. While significant impacts to businesses were noted, there have not been widespread damages or costs reported to the cities.
Additionally, the declaration actively engages the Governor’s office with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to explore federal assistance options. Specifically, the SBA offers two disaster loan programs. The first is a Physical Disaster Loan intended for small businesses that have suffered physical damages. The second, the economic injury disaster loan, aids businesses experiencing financial losses due to the disaster.
The storm caused significant erosion damage to portions of Homer Spit Road, as well as some private and city-owned properties located on the Spit.
In Ninilchik, the harbor road was shut down due to the storm and will not be able to be repaired or reopened until spring.