BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A major natural disaster is unfolding in the Northwest, and many people know nothing about it.
The remnants of a typhoon slammed into western Alaska last week, leaving thousands with nowhere to live. Northwest volunteers are now helping coordinate relief efforts — efforts that may one day be needed here at home.
From Bellingham, 1,700 miles away from the disaster zone in Bethel, Alaska, Sky Terry coordinates communications with crews via his cell phone.
“We have over 50 communities that have been heavily impacted. At least one town, if not a second, are completely evacuated. One isn’t there anymore,” Terry said.
Back-to-back storms flattened remote western Alaskan villages, washing homes away, killing at least one person and forcing another 2,000 into shelters. It’s one of the biggest relief efforts in the Last Frontier’s history.
“We need to help our fellow Americans in Alaska through their worst hour, their darkest moment,” Terry said.
With the disaster zone only accessible by air or sea, volunteers with Mercy Volunteer Air Corps Northwest and Operation Airdrop are helping airlift supplies. Timing is critical with a brutal Alaska winter on the horizon.
“To have this happen right before winter basically leaves people totally stranded without the ability to recover or even start to recover,” Terry said.
The volunteers currently at work in Alaska are doing so knowing natural disasters can strike anytime, anywhere, especially in the Pacific Northwest.
During the pandemic, volunteer crews flew PPE to Northwest Indian tribes. Like the Alaska disaster, it was a real-life training exercise in preparation for a major earthquake here at home. With roads likely buckled, air will be the only way to get relief to those in need.
“It’s a moment to make a huge difference in our community,” Terry said.
Back in Alaska, people are expected to be displaced for up to a year and a half. The message from western Washington: we’re all in it together, now and always.
“Wherever gets hit, we’re going to come together and support that area with whatever aviation resources we can to keep them going,” Terry said.
Cash is needed to continue relief efforts. Visit Operation Airdrop’s website to find out more.