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Just one example of the conditions we face. This is an excerpt of a storm report from 2003.
On November 21-23, 2003 the community of Shishmaref, Alaska was hit by a storm with Northwest winds coming from the Chuckchi sea blowing 45 mph and gusting up to 61 mph at times. Seas were as high as 14’ along with high tides. The community was hit with the winds starting the evening of the 21st endangering 1 home in the general area, along with a teachers quarters housing three teacher families forcing them to relocate themselves and their belongings to other housing occupied by teachers in the community. In addition to the homes in danger, we also have other structures in danger such as 3 tannery buildings, 1 classroom, one ware house owned by the Shishmaref Native Store, the Nayokpuk General Store’s old bulk fuel farm which is currently empty of fuel. We also have households who have individual subsistence racks that have been washed out to sea which are vital to the preparation of subsistence food for the winter. Also, at least two power poles are in imminent danger of falling into the ocean creating a hazard for the individual homes in the vicinity of the power poles. Approximately ten boats were taken away by the high tides and the high winds. Most boats were retrieved after the storm, however one more boat is unaccounted for as of today. Also, two boats were swamped by the storm and retrieved, however the actual useful condition of the boats are not known and most likely will be a total loss come spring when conditions warrant to check out the conditions of the boats once thawed out. Approximately $100,000.00 of boats, outboard motors, subsistence racks and essential hunting gear was lost during the storm. Hunting gear that will be hard to replace do to the economic hardship within the community.
Going back to the storm, we encountered severe flooding and erosion on the embankment of the beach facing the ocean. In most areas of the beach front we lost an average of 10’ and as much as 38’’ in one area and 10- 38’ in other areas of town. We also have stress cracks along the bluffs on the west side, which are 5’-10’ from the edge of the banks. Usually the banks cave in at any time once there is stress cracks showing. This causes a dangerous situation especially for curious children playing along the beach. A couple of gabion projects are currently failing and are in desperate need of repair.
More to come.
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