Press Releases and FAQ
Press Releases
Mayor's Press Releases
Emergency Management Status Reports
State of Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ provides an overview of the Municipality of Anchorage’s sheltering operations, support services, and interagency efforts to assist evacuees. If any information is unclear or appears incorrect, please use the feedback button in the sidebar to share your input.
What happened in Western Alaska in October 2025?
- On October 8 and 11, fall sea storms and remnants of Typhoon Halong caused widespread flooding and infrastructure damage across Western Alaska. Many households were displaced, prompting a large-scale, multi-agency response to support both local recovery and evacuee sheltering in Anchorage.
Who is coordinating the response?
- The response is led by
the State of Alaska, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM), partnering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in collaboration with many additional State of Alaska agencies, The Red Cross of Alaska, Alaska Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasater (AKVOAD), Municipality of Anchorage EOC, and many more state, local, and federal partners. Key priorities include sheltering evacuees, stabilizing the incident, and supporting long-term recovery.
What are the current sheltering efforts in Anchorage?
- 655 evacuees were airlifted to Anchorage. All people who entered the congregate shelters—UAA Alaska Airlines Center and the Egan Center—have been transitioned to hotels (non-congregate housing). For the latest numbers, refer to the latest update on the
Status Page.
What do you mean by "congregate housing" and "non-congregate housing"
-
Congregate Housing
Congregate housing refers to shared living spaces where multiple individuals or families reside together in a common facility. These shelters typically include:
- Shared sleeping areas (e.g., gymnasiums, large halls)
- Communal bathrooms and showers
- Centralized meal services
- On-site support services (medical, behavioral health, case management)
This model is often used during the initial phase of emergency response because it allows for rapid setup and centralized care. However, it can present challenges related to privacy, health risks (especially during flu season), and long-term comfort. -
Non-Congregate Housing Non-congregate housing provides individual or family units in separate spaces, such as:
- Hotel rooms
- Apartments
- Modular units or trailers
This approach offers greater privacy, safety, and autonomy, making it more suitable for longer-term recovery. It also helps reduce the spread of illness and allows for more tailored support services.
How is animal sheltering being handled?
- MOA and Mat-Su Borough are providing transitional shelter for evacuated animals. All animals receive medical assessments and are matched with foster placements or reunified with owners within 24 hours. Anchorage has temporary capacity for up to 100 animals, and Mat-Su can accommodate
10. Anchorage Animal Care and Control is assisting in tracking all displaced animals in the disaster.
What declarations have been made?
- Presidential Disaster Declaration (DR-4893-AK): Oct. 22
-
State Disaster Declaration: Oct. 9
-
MOA Emergency Declaration: Oct. 17
- These declarations enable federal, state, and local coordination and funding for recovery efforts.
Where can displaced residents find resources?
What agencies have been involved in the response?
- State of Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
- State of Alaska Departments of Transportation, Environmental Conservation, Natural Resources, and more.
- UAA Incident Management Team
- Anchorage School District Emergency Management
- Mat-Su Borough Emergency Management
- State of Alaska Department of Health
- Red Cross
- Salvation Army
- United Way of Anchorage / Alaska 2-1-1
- Numerous MOA departments and volunteers