Columbia, South Carolina — Emergency management workers from two South Carolina counties are heading to Alaska to assist with storm response and recovery efforts following devastating back-to-back storms.
Thousands of people were relocated after remnants of Typhoon Halong caused record flooding in low-lying coastal settlements such as Kipnuk and Kwigillingok. According to state officials, around 90% of the buildings in Kipnuk have been damaged, as have 35% in Kwigillingok.
Owen Kutscher and Ben Webster, both Charleston County residents, drove to the area on Tuesday to help with disaster relief efforts. Kutscher is a Situation Unit Leader, assisting incident commanders and elected officials with damage assessments, while Webster is a Volunteer Agency Liaison, organizing resource delivery to survivors.
Michael Brown of Spartanburg County Emergency Management is working as a Mass Care Deputy, where he will coordinate emergency assistance services for those affected by the storms.
The deployment was organized through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a national mutual aid arrangement that allows a governor to request personnel and equipment from other states before, during, or after a crisis.
“When Hurricane Helene hit our state last year, we were supported by other states through the EMAC,” said SCEMD Director Kim Stenson. “It’s critical that we continue to aid one another when calamity strikes. Our emergency response community is ready and willing to help.”
Alaskans assisted South Carolina during the 2015 flood and the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
“South Carolinians know all too well the devastation that severe flooding brings,” Governor Henry McMaster stated. “Just as other states have responded to our appeal for help in times of need, South Carolina stands ready to provide the same aid to Alaska. Our emergency management professionals are among the best in the country, and they are completely equipped to help with this recovery.
South Carolina is deploying emergency personnel to aid with storm recovery in Alaska
by John
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