Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce signed a declaration of disaster for the Lowell Point community that has been affected by the Lowell Point Road landslide which occurred on Saturday, May 7, at 7:40 p.m. Additionally, Gov. Mike Dunleavy activated Public Assistance for the 2022 Lowell Point Landslide, which is designed to help communities, government organizations, and eligible non-profit organizations make repairs to utilities, public buildings, and other critical infrastructure damaged by the declared event. The Borough’s declaration follows the City of Seward’s Disaster Declaration earlier in the week.
Additionally, the declaration of disaster allows the Kenai Peninsula Borough to continue supporting the residents of Lowell Point for emergency life safety needs, medical transports, food and water supplies, waste removal, and other needs identified during the course of this disaster.
KPB Mayor Charlie Pierce tells KSRM:
“Of course they need some assistance and we’re going to assist Seward in their effort to clear the debris here, but more importantly we want to make sure that the community of Lowell Point is provided some assistance as well. You still generate refuse, solid waste and, of course they need water and maybe some fuel for some transportation and we’re going to certainly do what we can to try and assist those folks with some of those needs. I think things are covered down here in Seward. They’ve got a big pile of dirt here. I’m sitting here watching it. Two excavators go at it. They’re making some good headway on it, but they’ve got a big job ahead of them, but it’s no easy task.”
Mayor Pierce has authorized the costs for vehicle transports to be covered under emergency procurement. The vehicles for Lowell Point residents will be prioritized. The Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management has been helping to coordinate the transport of vehicles stuck at Lowell Point and Seward Harbor. Due to the logistics and planning involved, the first transport will take place this afternoon (Monday, May 16).
Additionally, the KPB OEM Call Center staff are calling drivers to schedule vehicle transport dates and times for this week.
Drivers, please follow the following directions:
- Arrive in Lowell Point no later than an hour and fifteen minutes before barge departure time.
- Drivers must have vehicles in line 45 minutes prior to your assigned barge loading time
- Reserve a round trip water taxi passage through Millers Landing 907-331-4040
- There is no charge to drivers to ride the water taxi. You may bring one person to assist you if needed.
- Drivers check in with safety officer at Lowell Point.
- Drivers will be required to back into position (rear facing the barge ramp). Vehicles will be backed into the barge by crew.
- Drivers will be driving vehicles on gravel and sand for loading.
- Low clearance vehicles may not meet the minimum clearance due to tidal influence or terrain challenges.
- Vehicles and drivers will be offloaded at the Seward Harbor NE ramp off of X-Float Road. Follow directional signs for parking.
- Drivers check out with safety officer at vehicle staging area at Harbor.
- Drivers may walk or take the shuttle from the NE ramp to the staging parking lot (see map).
Residents who have needs or concerns are encouraged to contact the KPB Office of Emergency Management at (907) 224-INFO (4636) or by email at oem@kpb.us.