Gov. Mike Dunleavy officially declared a state disaster emergency, dated Nov. 27, for areas within the Kenai Peninsula Borough, including Homer and Ninilchik, due to recent damage caused by a storm surge on Nov. 16.

The declaration specifically names the Sterling Highway-Alaska Route 1 and State of Alaska roads in Ninilchik. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is responsible for maintenance and repairs to these damaged roads, as they are state-owned roads.

In Homer, the storm caused significant erosion damage to portions of Homer Spit Road, private and municipal properties located on the Spit, and utilities. In Ninilchik, the harbor road was shut down immediately following the storm and will not be able to be repaired or reopened until spring.

The state declaration follows a local disaster declaration issued by Homer Mayor Rachel Lord on Nov. 17 and urging from the Homer City Council and Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, for the state to follow suit.

According to an email sent to Homer News by Vance, following the issuance of the state declaration, certain state permitting requirements have been waived to allow DOT to expedite emergency repairs. The commissioner of the Alaska DOT&PF has also been directed to collaborate with the Federal Highway Administration to secure emergency relief funding for both temporary and permanent repairs.

“The severity and magnitude of the emergency are beyond the timely and effective response and recovery capability of DOT&PF, immediate repairs and emergency assistance are required, and there are insufficient regularly appropriated funds to cover the requirements,” the declaration states.

Additionally, Vance wrote, the State Emergency Operations Center, 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.

“While significant impacts to businesses were noted, there have not been widespread damages or costs reported to the cities,” she wrote. “Given the reported business impacts, the Governor’s office is actively engaging with the U.S. Small Business Administration to explore federal assistance options.”

SBA offers two disaster loan programs that business impacted by the Nov. 16 storm may be eligible for — physical disaster loans for businesses that have suffered physical damages, and economic injury disaster loans for businesses that are experiencing financial losses due to the disaster.

The State of Alaska does not currently have financial relief programs for private businesses. However, impacted businesses experiencing business damage or economic injury are encouraged to contact SEOC with their documented business impacts, which may also help the state strengthen their case to secure assistance from SBA. Contact the SEOC at seoc@alaska.gov.

Find the governor’s declaration and other updates about the damage response at www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/citymanager/homer-spit-storm-surge-emergency-response.

The southbound lane of Homer Spit Road, which was damaged by the Nov. 16 storm surge, is temporarily repaired with gravel and reopened on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)