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,,. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2012 -074
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, DECLARING A STATE OF DISASTER EMERGENCY DUE TO
EXTREME WEATHER, RAIN, FLOODING, WIND AND STORM SURGE
DAMAGE IN THE CITY OF SEWARD AND REQUESTING ASSISTANCE
WHEREAS, beginning on September 15, 2012, substantial heavy rainfall coupled with high
winds began to affect the City of Seward and outlying areas; and
WHEREAS, on September 19, 2012, conditions worsened and an Emergency Operations
Center was opened by the City of Seward to protect life and coordinate emergency response efforts;
and
WHEREAS, the City of Seward has sustained significant losses and threat to life and
property resulting from the storm event with high winds, heavy rains and storm surging high tides;
and
WHEREAS, the City Manager of the City of Seward issued a Disaster Emergency
Declaration on September 19, 2012 at 1:15pm; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seward is a political subdivision within the Kenai Peninsula
Borough and the State of Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor declared a Disaster Emergency on
September 21, 2012, which included a request for the State of Alaska to declare a disaster emergency
to exist as described in AS 26.23.020 to provide disaster assistance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough
and the City of Seward in their response and recovery from this event; and
WHEREAS, the cost of emergency measures taken and the cost of opening a shelter in order
to house displaced area residents by the City of Seward has yet to be fully determined; and
WHEREAS, crews worked throughout more than one night protecting life and
infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seward hereby requests financial assistance to deal with the costs of
this unexpected event because the cost exceeds the City's emergency fund balance; and
WHEREAS, consent by the city council must be obtained if the declaration of disaster is to
be continued or renewed for a period in excess of 7 days.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2012 -074
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA that:
Section 1. A disaster emergency per AS 26.23.140; is declared to exist within the City of
Seward, as attached hereto.
Section 2. It is requested through the Kenai Peninsula Borough's declaration that the State of
Alaska declare a disaster emergency to exist as described in AS 26.23.020 and provide disaster
assistance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough and the City of Seward in its response and recovery from
this event.
Section 3. Per AS 26.23.140 this resolution extends the disaster emergency declaration made
by the City Manager of the City of Seward.
Section 4. This resolution shall take affect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 24 day of
September 2012.
j
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Th4
David Seaward, Mayo
AYES: Bardarson, Valdatta, Keil, Shafer, Casagranda, Terry, Seaward
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
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s hanna Ki , ity Clerk pF 64
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• Main Office (907) 224 -4050
CITY OF SEWARD � Police (907) 224 -3338
P.O. Box 167 •.••'\ • Harbor (907) 224 -3138
q�x�, • Fire (907) 224 -3445
410 Adams Street 4ti r
• City Clerk (907) 224 -4046
Seward, Alaska 99664 - 0167 • Community Development (907) 224 -4049
• Utilities (907) 224 -4050
• Fax (907) 224 -4038
September 19, 2012
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Office of Mayor Mike Navarre
144 N. Binkley Street
Soldotna, AK 99669
RE: City of Seward Declaration of Disaster Request
Dear Mayor Navarre:
This letter is to inform you that beginning on September 19, 2012 the City of Seward declared a
State of Emergency for our community due to severe flooding and high winds. We have suffered
significant damage, including electricity failures in multiple sectors caused by downed trees on
power lines, potential road and utility infrastructure damage, and severe flooding that caused
many of our streets to be impassable.
At this time, it is difficult to establish the full extent of the damage because the storm is
continuing and much of the damage is submerged. It is clear that the damage that is visible will
exceed the recovery and financial capabilities of the city. We are requesting borough assistance
in the form of personnel to help conduct damage assessments and repairs.
I am working with the City Clerk to obtain ratification of this declaration by our city council at
the earliest possible opportunity, and will forward a copy of the resolution to your office as soon
as possible. We are requesting that the borough issue a declaration and ask the state to officially
declare this event as a disaster.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at 907 - 224 -4012 or 907 - 362 -9233 if you need further
information.
Sincerely,
44 409
,/ James unt
City Manager
jhunt @cityofseward.net