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This home was carried off its foundation by flood waters in the spring. Photo: Ben Brennan, FEMA
The winter in northeast Alaska was exceptionally cold. Colder than normal weather caused a 140 percent higher than usual ice formation on the Yukon and Kuksokwim Rivers. The winter was followed by an amazingly warm thaw. As a result, breakup (when the ice breaks apart and flows down the river) happened much more quickly and dramatically than usual.
Hugh chunks of ice effectively dammed the rivers, backing the water up in a great flood that caused damage to homes and buildings.
Areas most impacted
When the ice dams let loose and the river drained down, large chunks of ice — some 12-feet thick (the size of a car or the size of a small house) — swept through the town of Eagle, Alaska, carrying away whole buildings as they went. The flood pulse followed the Yukon River downstream, flooding one community after another.
Ten villages along the Yukon River and four along the Kuskokwim River were affected. The floods damaged about 300 buildings and miles of road and left hundreds of people without homes.
PDA Response
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is working with the Presbytery of Yukon in this response. One Great Hour of Sharing funds and two members of the National Response Team (NRT), Harvey Howell and Morella Larsen, have been sent to assist the Presbytery of Yukon in its response. PDA-NRT members have been asked to:
- Provide training events in different regions of the presbytery to help build regional ability in disaster response;
- provide guidance in assessing the needs and in understanding how Presbyterians can be most effective as they join the relief effort;
- provide guidance on how to leverage available funds.
The Presbytery of Yukon embraces 23 churches spanning a vast geographic area covering most of Alaska. Within the presbytery, there are four distinct language and culture groups.
The Presbytery recognizes that working ecumenically is the most effective approach for a Christian witness in this response and has formed a Mission-in-Action Committee (MIAC) Disaster Response Task Force to empower members from across the presbytery to collaborate with ecumenical and community partners in providing relief.
What you can do
You can stand in the gap for disaster survivors and help the church in this response.
GIVE. The generous sharing of your financial blessings through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering and special designated giving provides the resources needed to assist with immediate emergency needs, cleanup provisions, long term and unmet needs, and as spiritual/emotional counseling.
Individuals may give through their local Presbyterian congregation, on the secure PC(USA) Web site, or by sending their check to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Please include the special designated giving account DR000015–U.S. Disaster Response.
Congregations should send donations through their normal mission giving channels.
ACT. Stay informed and share information on the need with others. Sign up to receive PDA-RIN email notices to alert you of additional needs.
PRAY. Please continue in prayer for all who have been impacted by these floods including congregations, families and relief workers. |
