Grants Administration

Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recover (CDBG-DR) – 2023 Lower Yukon REAA

FEMA Disaster #4730

Lower Yukon area map

The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development works to rebuild Alaskan communities by putting Alaskans back in their homes, restoring critical infrastructure and mitigating future damage through resilient community planning.

The Division of Community and Regional Affairs is the lead agency for administering the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds on behalf of the State of Alaska for the 2023 Lower Yukon Regional Education Attendance Area (REAA) Flooding (CDBG-DR 2023 Lower Yukon Flooding) funds on behalf of the State of Alaska.

On January 16th, 2025, HUD allocated $10,392,969 for recovery from the 2023 Lower Yukon Flood.

2023 Lower Yukon River Flooding

The Lower Yukon REAA covers approximately 30,000 sq. miles and includes ten (10) riverine communities along the Yukon River. This REAA is located within the boundaries of the Kusilvak Census Area (pop: 8,368) and includes the Cities of Emmonak (pop. 825); Alakanuk (pop. 756); and Russian Mission (pop. 421).

On May 13, 2023, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a state disaster emergency for the Alaska Gateway, Yukon Flats, Kuspuk, and Copper River Regional Education Attendance Area (REAA)s due to flooding. On May 22, 2023, Governor Dunleavy added the Northwest Arctic Borough, the Iditarod REAA, Lower Kuskokwim REAA, and Lower Yukon REAA to the declared disaster areas.

On May 21, 2023, flooding reached Holy Cross inundating low-lying roads and a fueling station.

On May 22, 2023, flooding reached Russian Mission inundating the airstrip for weeks, along with several homes and fuel infrastructure. Homes were evacuated and occupants were sheltered. With sustained flooding of the airstrip causing a shortage of food, medicine, and medical personnel, the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in coordination with Tanana Chief's Conference (TCC), ordered an Alaska Air National Guard helicopter mission to deliver a medical provider and supplies while evacuating the medically fragile. When the water receded weeks later, the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT & PF) made emergency repairs to reopen the airstrip and estimated permanent repairs at six million dollars.

From May 27-30, 2023, flooding reached Emmonak inundating city-owned apartments, infrastructure, and the woman’s shelter, requiring evacuations. In Alakanuk flooding damaged community water and sewage systems, and two homes, requiring evacuation and sheltering.

Applicable Plans

Public Notices

CDBG-DR Administrative Action Plan

CDBG-DR 2023 and 2024 Floods Administrative Action Plan

CDBG-DR Citizen Participation Plan

CDBG-DR Language Access Plan

CDBG-DR Action Plan and Substantial Amendments

Disaster Recovery Grant Reporting (DRGR) Action Plan and Quarterly Performance Reports

Programs

2023 Lower Yukon REAA

State Administration / Not to exceed 5%
State and Local Planning / Not to exceed 15%
Resilience and Mitigation / Not to exceed 15%
Public Services / Not to exceed 15%
Housing Recovery (New Construction, Rehabilitation, Reconstruction)
Public Infrastructure Recovery
Economic Revitalization

Related Applicable Laws and Regulations

Procurement Policies

Procurement Academy, Office of Procurement and Property Management, State of Alaska

Solicitations and Contracts

Confidential Citizen Complaints may be filed at:

https://ak-ombuds.i-sight.com/portal

or in writing on a complaint form, mailed to

Alaska Ombudsman
1500 West Benson Blvd.,
Anchorage, AK 99503

or via email to

ombudsman@akleg.gov

or by telephone at

907-269-5290

Report Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in HUD programs to

https://archives.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/ph/rhiip/uivreporting.cfm

For more information about Alaska CDBG-DR Grants contact

Contact DCRA staff at ced.cra.cdbg.dr.yukon@alaska.gov

Kevin Bartley
Division of Community and Regional Affairs
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development
Location: Anchorage
Phone: (907) 269-7985
Fax: (907) 269-4563
kevin.bartley@alaska.gov

Revised 04/21/2025

Content Reviewed 04/21/2025

The State of Alaska, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED), complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This publication is available in alternative communication formats upon request. Please contact the DCRA Publication Specialist at 1-907-269-4560

Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Division of Community and Regional Affairs