Haines Long Term Recovery Group

12/06/2022

After two years of recovery efforts and the distribution of nearly $2 million by involved organizations for individual disaster assistance, The Haines Long Term Recovery Group will be suspending services in December 2022.

As needs remain for disaster-affected residents, Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL), Chilkoot Indian Association (CIA), and The Salvation Army will continue providing services to address as many unmet needs as possible.

“The big message is we’re still here, " said LTRG chair and SAIL development director Sara Chapell in the below article. "SAIL isn’t going anywhere, (nor are) CIA, the Salvation Army. We are community organizations that are set up to serve emerging needs. And that is not changing."

Organizations that assisted individual disaster recovery include Southeast Alaska Independant Living, Chilkat Valley Community Foundation, Chilkoot Indian Association, Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, The Salvation Army Alaska Division, Team Rubicon, Tlingit & Haida, The Haines Ministerial Affiliates, Haines Chamber of Commerce, Sealaska Heritage Institute, and UMCOR - United Methodist Committee On Relief.

A group that helped 100 households recover from the deadly December 2020 storm is suspending its services as the storm’s second anniversary approaches. “The majority of the work involved in recovery will continue by individual organizations. Unfortunately, the needs exceed available resources, a...

07/24/2022

Team Rubicon is in town until July 31st, working on two disaster-affected homes in Haines.

If you are interested in volunteering this week, email Sylvia at [email protected]. Jobs include drywall, painting, trim work, flooring, clean-up, and other miscellaneous tasks. No experience necessary; tools, training, and lunch will be provided.

Dozens of landslides struck the town, destroying homes and requiring extensive rebuilding.

03/30/2022

A second Landslide Technologies Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5th, at 6:30pm.

The Landslide Technologies Updated Findings Report, town hall announcement, and April 5th Zoom link can be found on the Haines Borough Calendar at https://www.hainesalaska.gov/community/landslide-technologies-town-hall-meeting-2

The Beach Road landslide area is “marginally stable” and still at risk of future slides, a team of geotechnical consultants concluded in an updated findings report published last week. In the report, and in a public presentation on Monday, the consultants — from Oregon-based firm Landslide Tec...

03/19/2022

Support Southeast Alaska Independant Living (SAIL) through SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC)'s Move for a Cause Campaign!

SAIL's support has been integral to the disaster recovery work the Haines LTRG has been able to do. By logging four weeks of your fitness goal, SEARHC will make a donation in your honor to SAIL. Thank you SEARHC, and thank you SAIL!

Find out more at https://searhc.org/moveforacause/.

03/12/2022

Are you a community member with foundation damage?

The Haines Long Term Recovery Group is looking at the feasibility of bringing a specialty contractor to Haines. The primary purpose is to assess and estimate costs to repair damage from the December 2020 storm, but the contractor is more likely to visit if there is other foundation work needed in Haines. The contractor has the ability to raise and permanently support sunken and shifting foundations using modern foams and grouts, as well as to repair leaks and cracks. If you have this type of damage and are interested in benefiting from the economy of scale that could be realized by sharing the cost with more people, please contact Haines LTRG Coordinator Sylvia Heinz at (907)766-2323 x124 or [email protected].

03/02/2022

Although every disaster is unique, rural and remote areas across the country face similar challenges in disaster response and recovery. The Haines LTRG is grateful for the quality mentorship we have received from experienced individuals from The Salvation Army Alaska Division, Alaska United Methodist Disaster Response, Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, FEMA, the Alaska VOAD, and many others as we navigate the challenges outlined in this video.

02/24/2022

If you know of a 1-3 bedroom mobile home for sale, please let us know!

02/02/2022

Applications due March 6th!

Help spread the word! We're looking for young teens to join our Youth Preparedness Council this year! YPC is a great way for teens across the country to help their communities be more safe, prepared, and resilient.

Learn more and apply today: http://ow.ly/xv2n50HItR8

01/28/2022

Congratulations to Steven Knight, 2021 Enlisted Person of the Year for Southeast Alaska!

Knight responded in Haines with the U.S. Coast Guard Alaska to the December 2020 weather event. Katie Craney, who served as Service Branch Director for the Haines EOC Logistics Section during the immediate response, remembers feeling grateful and reassured by Steve's presence, calm nature, and leadership. Thank you Steve for your invaluable assistance and mentorship in Haines, and your service in Southeast Alaska!

Want to know more about Steven Knight? Check out his podcast The Knight Show Podcast.

01/27/2022

Do you have storm damage from the January 8-11th Winter Storm? Report it here!

https://www.hainesalaska.gov/community/report-storm-damage

Please note: Damage reports will be used for assessment purposes only. There is no financial assistance currently designated for residents with 2022 storm damage.

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From Haines Borough Government:

REPORT DAMAGE from the January 8-11th Winter Storm

WHY? To help the Borough fully understand the extent of damage. This will help us identify areas in which infrastructure can be improved. It will also help outside agencies identify areas in which they can assist. Ultimately, your damage report will make our
borough a safer place to live.

WHAT? Any information about damage sustained January 8 -11 2022 from the Winter Storm, such as:
● Damaged structures (roof collapse, cracks in walls, wet basements, failed structures, etc)
● Damaged, shifted, or cracked foundations
● Flooded, clogged, or damaged culverts
● Property damage (falling trees, landslide, cracks in driveways, etc)

We need a description (words and/or pictures), a location, and the time that you made the observation. Do not report twice.

01/25/2022

A big THANK YOU to Matt Jones and Ann Myren for their countless hours of service for the Haines LTRG. Their steady leadership will be missed as they redirect their time back to other important service areas in Haines.

Matt Jones stepped up as co-chair of the Haines LTRG and chair of the Mental Health and Spiritual Support Committee. His numerous accomplishments regarding disaster recovery include the coordination of two volunteer labor crews, the organization of monthly meetings between Haines' mental health professionals, happy lights for the Haines Borough School District, and mental health first aid training with SAMHSA. We will miss his wisdom and perspective and are grateful for a year of dedicated service.

Ann Myren chaired our Communications Committee. Her leadership ensured momentum and direction to advocate for our disaster survivors and communicate potential recovery resources, and her writing ability directly impacted the Haines LTRG's ability to secure resources. "I really appreciated Ann's follow-through," said Sylvia Heinz, Haines LTRG Coordinator. "She made sure we didn't drop balls. Haines is lucky to have Ann's talent and professionalism."

01/21/2022

From the Haines Avalanche Center:

"We recommend people clear drainage paths around their homes to make sure water can drain away and is not blocked by snow/ice.

The Haines Precipitation Tracker will be a helpful resource as the storm unfolds: https://alaskasnow.org/haines/rain.html"

The EOC is closely watching this latest weather system. NOAA has issued a flood watch for our area.

It is important to note the difference between a "watch" and a "warning". A "watch" means you should prepare for the possibility; a "warning" means the event is occuring.

We expect a more solidified report later today and will share as it becomes available. Stay tuned.

12/22/2021

Reminder:

You're not alone. Help is always available.

During the , we’re reminded that it's supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year.” For some that may be true, for others not so much. If you're struggling emotionally, reach out to the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline '1-800-273-TALK (8255)' for free, 27/7 confidential support.

12/15/2021

It's been a year of hard work and collaboration throughout the community. Thank you to all who have given their time, talent and generosity to the work of the Haines Long Term Recovery Group. Click on the link below for our 1-year overview update. https://www.hainesak.com/sites/default/files/Haines%20LTRG%201-Year%20Recovery%20Update.png

12/09/2021

In honor of the 1-Year Anniversary, Sam McPhetres produced and edited the following video remembering those we lost, and telling the story of Haines Strong. "It has been a labor of love for this project," he said. "I believe everyone involved has a story to tell from this day, and should tell it."

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"We've suffered a great deal of pain. Some of you so personally, some of you financially to ways that the rest of us can't understand. And yet, I know that I, through the pain, I'm still glad to have gone through the dance. I don't want to have missed that. Because if we miss it, we don't experience that depth of that love, the depth of that joy, or the peace that comes at the end of that hardship." - Matt Jones, Haines LTRG Co-Chair

Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:19 - From Young Road00:05:09 - From Lutak00:06:54 - The Slide00:09:40 - Where Do We Go From Here00:14:41 - December 4...

12/07/2021

Thank you to Sam McPhetres for providing a video of the 1-Year Storm Commemoration and Dedication event.

The memorial service started with a small gathering at the Haines Harbor. A short ceremony was hosted by Pastor Matt Jones from the Port Chilkoot Church. M...

12/05/2021

Yesterday Haines gathered to remember those we lost, and reflect on the healing and help we've seen over the past year. The Haines Long Term Recovery Group is so very grateful for the generosity of the community members, organizations and friends far and wide who have stepped up to help Haines in our journey to recovery. Our own Sylvia Heinz, Coordinator for the LTRG, offered this community table as a symbol of resilience and the power of coming together in adversity. Along with John Carlson, Sylvia poured her heart and artistry into this gift. In the same way Sylvia has worked tirelessly toward community recovery with the Long Term Recovery Group. Thank you Sylvia, and thank you to the countless others who are helping us heal.