Dunleavy declares disaster for Interior spring flooding

Governor Mike Dunleavy declared a state disaster for spring breakup flooding affecting Interior Alaska communities.

Several communities are experiencing active flooding as spring breakup continues across Interior rivers, including the community of Kycook. Additional flooding remains possible in other communities as ice continues moving downstream.

The declaration activates state individual assistance, public assistance, and temporary housing recovery programs. Registration for the State of Alaska Individual Assistance Program for the 2026 Spring Flood Disaster is open through July 11.

The Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center reported May 8 that flooding and ice jams had already occurred on the Black River at Chalkyitsik and the lower Chatanika River north of Murphy Dome. The center noted that while the overall breakup flood threat is trending toward normal, communities along the Lower Yukon and Lower Kuskokwim still face elevated risk as breakup continues.

The National Weather Service's 2026 National Hydrologic Assessment identified above-normal spring breakup and snowmelt flood potential across portions of Interior Alaska due to snowpack and river-ice conditions.

The State of Alaska Individual Assistance Program provides grants to eligible residents for housing repair, personal property loss, and other necessary disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance. The program is administered by the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

In June 2023, Dunleavy declared a state disaster for spring floods and landslides affecting multiple Alaska communities, activating the same assistance programs for impacted residents and local governments.

Application information is available at www.tananachiefs.org.