Damage Estimate Due to Alaska Windstorm Exceeds $1.8M

A state disaster has been declared for the wind storms that knocked out power and caused damage throughout much of November on the Kenai Peninsula.

Gov. Sean Parnell’s declaration on Monday allows state officials to open assistance programs for disaster recovery. A release from Parnell’s office also says the state will seek a federal disaster declaration.

Wind storms caused widespread damage to electrical power distribution and transmission lines, homes, businesses, a harbor, telephone systems and coastal areas. The governor’s office says about 17,300 businesses and homes lost power for about 48 hours.

A preliminary storm damage estimate from the borough exceeded $1.8 million.

The Kenai Peninsula Borough is asking anyone who suffered wind damage from Nov. 1-19 to complete a survey on the borough’s website: www.borough.kenai.ak.us/emergency.