The state Division of Homeland Security is now processing applications for financial assistance from residents of Koyukuk and other river villages where significant flooding occurred this spring.  

The first part of the registration process occurs over the phone.  Filling out a paper application and submitting written proof for the claims comes later. 

The individual assistance program started last Monday, and more calls have been coming in every day since then, according to Homeland Security public information officer Jamie Littrell.

"So far [as of August 1] we have had 42 applicants, including 6 from Koyukuk. More applicants are calling on a daily basis, so things are pretty good at this stage of the program, just being up and running for about a  week, week and a half now."

Individuals in Hughes, Koyukuk, Emmonak, Alakanuk, Kwethluk and Bethel can get up to 5 thousand dollars each to repair homes or replace belongings.  Governor Murkowski issued a state disaster declaration for those communities on June 27^th, making them eligible for assistance.

Other communities were included in that disaster declaration, but do not qualify for the individual assistance program because damage was limited to public infrastructure. 

Littrell explains that the telephone registration process works the best when callers are ready with information on the extent of damage or losses they have, and insurance. 

"Once you call the hotline, it takes anywhere from 15 minutes to a half hour to go through the process, depending on how well prepared you are to answer the questions. The information we will be looking for on the hotline will be: a description of what was damaged or what was lost at your household; an estimate of how much damage was done or how much items cost that were lost; and any insurance information you can provide, if you renter's or homeowner's insurance or flood insurance, we need that information as well."

Homeland Security had no logged any calls from Hughes as of August 1^st.  Flood damage there affected both private and public property, as a result of ice jam flooding in mid-May.  A few nonresidential structures were washed away, and water came into several homes.   

Thelma Nickoli with the City of Hughes is trying to get state assistance to repair those homes, but not through the individual assistance program. 

“We still need to work on the houses that were flooded. Their insulation and floors were [damaged from being wet].  Those will need to be pulled out and replaced before the winter. But the City has applied to the State on behalf of their homes."

Significant water damage occurred at the school in Hughes, but Nickoli says that it has mostly been cleaned up, and after new carpeting arrives, the school will be ready for students this fall.  

The application deadline for the individual assistance program is September 22^nd. 

The toll free registration hotline is 1-800-921-3682.