8/29/19 7:00 pm Kenai Peninsula Borough Issues Local Disaster Declaration

8/29 KBP Declaration

The Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) issued a Local Disaster Declaration on behalf of the City of Seldovia and the Native Village of Nanwalek today at noon.  The City of Seldovia has been carefully monitoring water supplies and has implemented conservation methods within the community.

A lack of precipitation throughout the summer has resulted in a rapid depletion of water the communities’ water reservoirs. Water conservation measures have been implemented, and bottled drinking water has been ordered.

The Native Village of Nanwalek has restricted water use and implemented distribution of non-potable water for non-consumption purposes. In addition, Nanwalek has received, and is distributing, bottled drinking water until a solution to the community’s problems can be found.

The KPB’s local disaster declaration initiates a request for a State Declaration. The request to Governor Michael J. Dunleavy asks for activation of state public assistance program to address ongoing emergency needs in both communities.

Declaration News Release

Specifically, the KPB has requested technical assistance and access to state resources in order to keep both communities supplied with water.  The Borough Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is responsible for coordinating the resources and entities contributing to the management of this emergency.

The Kenai Peninsula has seen a lack of rainfall this summer. The Seldovia and Nanwalek area average almost 5 inches of rain during the summer months. This summer the area has received less than 2.2 inches of rain. In addition, record high temperatures throughout southcentral Alaska have contributed to this request for state assistance.






Here is a link to the Emergency Declaration: https://tinyurl.com/8-29EmergDeclaration

Here is a link to the media release: https://tinyurl.com/8-29waterMedRelease