Responding Rebuilding Restoring

Alaska

This winter the northeast Alaska experienced heavier than usual snow and ice accumulations. When temperatures jumped 30 to 40 degrees in a short period of time, a massive spring melt was created. In Eagle and other areas along a 3,000 mile stretch of the Yukon River, water with six feet thick ice chunks crushed cars, trees and moved houses up to a half mile off their foundations.

Eagle is a remote Native American community with residents who primarily survive by subsistence living. Flooding and ice destroyed many homes.

Stevens Village is located on the north bank of the Yukon River, 17 miles upstream of the Dalton Highway bridge crossing and 90 air miles northwest of Fairbanks. Homes in Stevens Village were damaged from flood waters. 

Akiak is located on the Kuskokwim River, 300 miles west of Anchorage. Ice jams and snow melt combined to flood the village. 

MDS Response

In Eagle, FEMA has asked MDS to help construct log homes between July 13 and Sept. 12, 2009. These homes are very basic log home kits produced in Alaska and shipped to Eagle.

In Stevens Village MDS will help repair 11 homes during the three week time period. Gutting and drying out has already been accomplished for the most part. The biggest need is insulating and floor repair, although new floor joists may also be required.

In Akiak MDS will rebuild one log home and repair two others. Volunteers will be in Akiak for a few weeks.

Photo Gallery

Roofing cabin in Akiak

Working on the roof in Akiak.

building the cabin in Akiak

Building the cabin in Akiak.

Stevens-group--courtesy-of-

Stevens Village volunteer group. -photo courtesy of FEMA

Setting logs photo by T.Houser

Securing the logs. -photo by Ted Houser

MDS-Eagle-079

Work in the trusses on the two-story house.

Jake-sawing

Jake working at the project in Eagle.

Jordan-and-Mike-cut-logs

Jordan and Mike cut the logs for the cabin.

using-the-log-wizard

Shaping the logs with the log wizard.

Gary-and-Ron-setting-a-log

Volunteers Gary and Ron setting a log at the Eagle, Alaska project.

framing-the-first-Eagle-hou

Framing the first house in Eagle, AK.

The-dovetail-work

Well crafted dovetail work on the log cabin in Eagle, Alaska.

P1000864

Homes damaged by floods and ice in Eagle, Alaska.

P1000798

Log home in Eagle, Alaska. MDS will be building 13 similar homes in the area.

Project Reports

Report from Stevens Village

August 6, 2009

House 2 - The trim work is being done today as far as material supply will allow. There is minor electrical work to do that is waiting on supplies. The walls are completed. House 4 - The exterior is completed. A porch will be...[more]

Category: Eagle, AK


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Map/Directions

Project statistics

Mennonite Disaster Service

General Delivery

Eagle, Alaska 99738

Phone: (907)-547-3101

Project Start Date: July 13, 2009

Volunteer Status: Project is full

Eagle Volunteers: 77

Eagle Jobs Started: 27

Eagle Jobs Completed: 27

Eagle Project is Closed.

Project End Date: September 12, 2009

Stevens Volunteers: 15

Stevens Jobs Started: 11

Stevens Jobs Complete: 11

Stevens project closed.

Akiak Volunteers: 10

Akiak Jobs Started: 3

Akiak Jobs Complete: 3

Akiak Project Closed.

Volunteer Information: Please download and read the files listed below if you are planning and preparing to volunteer.

Eagle, Alaska Volunteer Information

Current Situation
05-23-2013


fair
65°F
Sunrise 03:34 am
Sunset 11:09 pm

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