Kipnuk disaster declaration excludes household aid

The Native Village of Kipnuk received a presidential major disaster declaration May 26 that authorizes federal funds for damaged public facilities but excludes direct aid to households.

The declaration, issued as FEMA-4912-DR for Public Assistance Only, covers severe storms, flooding, and remnants of Typhoon Halong that struck the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta community between May 17 and May 23. The tribal government and eligible local entities can apply for federal reimbursement to repair public infrastructure. Individual Assistance was not activated.

That means the tribal government may receive federal funds to rebuild damaged public buildings, water systems, and other community facilities. Kipnuk residents whose homes or subsistence equipment were damaged cannot access FEMA grants. They must instead apply for Small Business Administration disaster loans by the Aug. 24 deadline, if eligible.

The declaration applies only to the Native Village of Kipnuk tribal area. Neighboring Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta communities that experienced related weather are not covered unless the federal government later amends the declaration.

The tribal government must now submit project worksheets to FEMA documenting damage to public facilities before reimbursement can proceed, according to federal disaster assistance procedures. The U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience issued the notice in the Federal Register on June 8.

Public Assistance funds tribal government and eligible local entities to repair damaged public facilities. The declaration does not address the scale of damage to housing or subsistence infrastructure in the predominantly Yup'ik community.