A total of 40 Alaska National Guard members are being deployed to Juneau as part of the emergency response efforts following record flooding of the Mendenhall River on Tuesday that damaged more than 100 homes.<\/p>\n
Seven members from Juneau are expected to be joined by 33 more on Friday from Anchorage and Fairbanks, according to a statement issued Thursday by the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.<\/p>\n
“On arrival they will focus on debris cleanup, flood recovery operations and distribution of supplies to the community in support of the local incident commander,” the statement notes.<\/p>\n
The deployment is part of a wider state response after a disaster declaration by Gov. Mike Dunleavy within hours of the Mendenhall River receding from its peak level early Tuesday morning. State disaster assistance applications are now being accepted at www.Ready.Alaska.Gov\/IA<\/a> or by calling (844) 445-7131, and multiple other agencies are involved in assessment and cleanup efforts.<\/p>\n ”The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) conducted a drone survey of the flood area yesterday,” a press release issued Thursday by the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management noted. “In addition, (it) has been clearing clogged drainage and removing debris. The Department of Environmental Conservation Spill Prevention and Response conducted an aerial survey yesterday of the flood area additional ground-based survey is pending. The Department of Health is working with a local daycare provider to certify a temporary child care facility.”<\/p>\n U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan visited Juneau to observe the flood damage, and talk to officials and residents about possible federal assistance. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski made a similar visit with Dunleavy on Wednesday, and U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola is scheduled to visit Sunday.<\/p>\n Other assistance and recovery developments announced Thursday include:<\/p>\n