Mayor LaFrance and Anchorage Assembly call special meeting to consider emergency measures to support

Mayor LaFrance and Anchorage Assembly call special meeting to consider emergency measures to support State’s disaster response and Western Alaska storm evacuees in Anchorage 

Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance has called a special meeting of the Anchorage Assembly to consider emergency measures that will help the Municipality provide critical support for the State of Alaska’s emergency response for Alaskans displaced by Typhoon Halong. The Assembly will take up the measures at a special meeting Friday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. 

Assembly Chair Christopher Constant, Vice Chair Anna Brawley and Assembly member Kameron Perez-Verdia have joined the Mayor as co-sponsors of an emergency ordinance that would temporarily expand the definition of "Civil Emergency" in the Anchorage Municipal Code.  

This change will allow the Mayor to declare an emergency so the Municipality can continue to support the State’s response efforts by helping to coordinating shelter, housing, and care for storm evacuees arriving in Anchorage. 

The proposed measure comes as the State of Alaska directs one of the largest airlift efforts in recent history to relocate to Anchorage potentially up to 2,000 Alaskans whose homes were destroyed by the remnants of Typhoon Halong.  

“My heart is with the thousands of Alaskans who have lost their homes, belongings, and critical subsistence supplies. The loss is profound. We will do every we can here in Anchorage to help those who have been displaced,” said Mayor LaFrance. “I ask the residents of Anchorage to welcome our fellow Alaskans with kindness and generosity.”  

The Municipality’s Emergency Operations Center is actively coordinating with the State of Alaska's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the American Red Cross and other critical partners to help identify and mobilize our local resources and meet urgent housing needs.  

Evacuees began arriving in Anchorage on Wednesday and sheltered overnight at UAA’s Alaska Airlines Center. About 670 evacuees were expected to have been relocated to Anchorage by the end of Thursday. More are expected to arrive on Friday.  

The Municipality is working with the state and Red Cross to provide temporary shelter facilities at the Egan Center. The Municipality is also preparing to use the Spenard Recreation Center and Fairview Recreation Center. 

Many are of those displaced by the storm are expected to need housing through the winter. As a critical logistics hub for the state, Anchorage has an essential role supporting the State’s operational plan and assisting with safe shelter and supplies for Alaskans. 

The proposed emergency ordinance is crucial because the existing municipal code's definition of a "Civil Emergency" primarily addresses disasters occurring within Anchorage. The temporary amendment will expand the definition to include a State or Federal declared disaster that, while occurring outside of Anchorage, results in the need for extraordinary emergency response measures within the Municipality. 

The ordinance, if passed, will take effect immediately and remain in effect for 60 days unless repealed sooner by the Assembly. 

Mayor LaFrance anticipates issuing an emergency proclamation on Friday following the emergency ordinance. This will help ensure the Municipality can be reimbursed by the State or Federal government for expenses incurred while supporting the State’s disaster response efforts, including staff time and resource utilization.  

An emergency proclamation remains in effect for 48 hours unless extended by the Anchorage Assembly. The Assembly’s special meeting agenda includes a proposed resolution that would extend the Mayor’s emergency proclamation.