A $1.65 million FEMA award for the Ketchikan landslide expires Sept. 30 with nothing paid out

A $1,651,380 FEMA award for the Aug. 25, 2024 landslides in Ketchikan ends its award period Sept. 30, according to USAspending.gov, which reports no money paid out so far. An award period is the window to spend and account for the money.

The Alaska Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs passes the money to three applicants under FEMA's Public Assistance program, which reimburses governments and some nonprofits for disaster costs. The City of Ketchikan holds $1,545,986 across seven approved projects, most of it road repairs and utility work. The city has ten projects totaling $3.6 million in damage, and three are still working through FEMA's review. Women In Safe Homes, a Ketchikan nonprofit, holds $8,366. The state keeps $97,028 for administration.

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough, the area FEMA designated when the disaster was declared Nov. 13, 2024, withdrew its application and discontinued the process, FEMA records show.

FEMA has obligated the full amount, and the city's grant is listed as pending completion. Only about $34,000 of the award covers emergency protective measures.