Gov. Dunleavy approves disaster declaration for Matanuska-Susitna Borough following windstorm

Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday issued a disaster declaration for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough to provide aid for individuals and local governments affected by the recent three-day windstorm.

The declaration, requested by Mat-Su officials Tuesday afternoon, provides grants to individuals and families to make home repairs, secure temporary housing or address other needs caused by the weekend storm, according to a state news release sent Wednesday.

Details on how much money may be available or how individuals can apply will be provided “in the coming days,” the release said.

“We are activating our disaster programs to bring relief to individuals and families who suffered property damage, and to ensure the Mat-Su Borough is reimbursed for emergency protective measures and infrastructure repairs,” Dunleavy said in the statement.

The borough will waive construction and household waste disposal fees at the Central Landfill near Palmer through Dec. 21 to help with cleanup, officials said in a release Wednesday.

The waiver also covers furniture, concrete and other nonhazardous construction trash, the release states. Brush and woody debris dumping at the landfill is already free.

“This measure is intended to support the disposal of storm-related waste and to assist residents who experienced damage or loss to personal property from the recent windstorm,” the release states.

The waiver applies only to individuals, not businesses or commercial landfill users, it states.

An American Red Cross emergency shelter at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Complex in Wasilla closed Wednesday morning, hours after power was restored to all homes and businesses in the region.

An average of 17 people stayed in the shelter each night between Saturday and Wednesday, Red Cross officials said in a release. Volunteers helped more than 50 people and provided more than 200 meals and snacks during operations, they said.

Officials with Matanuska Electric Association said some areas may experience brief power outages this week as crews work to fully remove trees from power lines.

Winds were expected to return to the Mat-Su on Wednesday evening, with gusts of up to 60 mph forecast through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Anchorage.

This story was originally published by the Mat-Su Sentinel. Contact Amy Bushatz at [email protected]