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12/13/13: The State Individual Assistance (IA) hotline and online registration is available for individuals and families impacted by the 2013 Kenai Peninsula Borough Flood or the 2013 November Storms. The deadline to apply for IA is January 17, 2014.

To apply: Call toll free 1-855-445-7131 or apply online at Ready.alaska.gov/IA

11/19/13: Governor Parnell Declares State Disaster for the Kenai Peninsula 

Resources

For residents affected by high ground water, the borough has posted online resources for testing drinking water, disinfecting wells, pumping septic systems, cleaning mold and much more. Please be aware that well testing should be done before freezing conditions to ensure accurate results. Contact Tauriainen Laboratory to purchase a test kit @ 262-4624.

AK DEC: “Flood Preparation & Recovery for Drinking Water Systems”
EPA and AK DEC: “Septic Systems - What to do After a Flood”
FEMA: “Dealing with Mold and Mildew in Your Flood Damaged Home”
Red Cross: “Repairing Your Flooded Home”
FEMA: “Before, During, After and Additional Information Regarding Flooding”
Cook Inletkeeper: Well water testing/resources www.inletkeeper.org

Kenai Weather 

Current Advisories, Watches and Warnings

Flood Insurance - FAQs

Maps and Presentation Materials from the Oct. 3rd Kalifornsky Beach Groundwater Public Meeting 

Changing the Way Alaskans Find Help - No matter where you live in Alaska, Alaska 2-1-1 is your one-stop resource for connecting with a wide variety of vital resources in your community including emergency food and shelter, disability services, counseling, senior services, healthcare, child care, drug and alcohol programs, legal assistance, transportation needs, educational opportunities, and much more.

11/7/13: KPB 11-6-13 Public Meeting Topics Discussed
KBeach Flood photographs may be viewed HERE.
For support services, the American Red Cross Anchorage will have volunteers available to assist homeowners. Please call 301-5476 or 646-5401.

On 10/29/13, Mayor Navarre formally submitted a local disaster emergency declaration to Commissioner John Madden and his staff at the AK Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, who will prepare the declaration and supporting documentation for Governor Parnell and his cabinet to review. If the declaration is approved, the State of Alaska Individual Assistance Program may become available to private homeowners. This program may help offset some of the costs incurred during the disaster. It should be noted, the program is only available if the state approves the declaration.

  Visit the KPB on Facebook

Additional Flood Information

The following brochures, checklist and fact sheets have been provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the American Red Cross and the USDA Rural Development

Home Improvement/Repair Loans and Grants
National Flood Insurance Program Summary of Coverage
Are You Ready For A Flood?
After a Flood - The First Steps
Repairing Your Flooded Home 
Avoiding Flood Damage Checklist 
Floods and Flash Floods Fact Sheet 
Landslides and Mud Flows Fact Sheet

Protecting Your Property From Flooding
Add Waterproof Veneer to Exterior Walls 
Anchor Fuel Tanks 
Build with Flood Damage Resistant Materials 
Dry Floodproof Your Building 
Install Sewer Backflow Valves 
Protect Wells From Contamination by Flooding 
Raise Electrical System Components 
Raise or Floodproof HVAC Equipment 

From the Alaska Division of Environmental Conversation and the Environmental Protection Agency
Caring For Your Onsite Septic System in Alaska
Drinking Water From Household Wells
Your Septic System is Your Responsibility!
Flood - Public Health and the Environment 
Earthquakes, Floods and Home Heating Oil Tanks 
Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water 
Disinfection of Wells and Small Distribution Systems 
Indoor Sewage Cleanup 
Outdoor Sewage Cleanup

 Before, During and After

Visit the Borough's local "Ready, Set, Go!" Preparedness and Evacuation Program at info.kpb.us to learn more about before, during and after actions during wildfire season. Across the landscape on the Kenai Peninsula, there have been numerous wildland fires that have affected the Wildland Urban Interface, the area of transition between developed residential or commercial structures and the wilderness. These fires include the 2014 Funny River Fire, 2015 Card Street Fire, and in 2019 the Swan Lake, North Fork and Caribou Lake Fires. Wildfires can ruin homes and cause injuries or death to people and animals. A wildfire is an unplanned fire that burns in a natural area such as a forest, grassland, or prairie. Wildfires can:

• Often be caused by humans or lightning.
• Disrupt transportation, gas, power, and communications.
• Happen anywhere, anytime. Risk increases within periods of little rain and high winds.
• Cost the Federal Government billions of dollars each year.

During a Wildfire

KPB Joint Information Hub
for multi-agency incident information

Evacuate. Leave immediately if authorities tell you to do so.

Enact your emergency animal sheltering plan if you have animals. Please be aware that Red Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets because of public health concerns. Service animals who assist people with disabilities are the only animals allowed in Red Cross shelters.  Emotional support animals and livestock will not be allowed at the shelter. Review the KPB Pet Shelter Annex for more information.

If trapped, call 911 and give your location, but be aware that emergency response could be delayed or impossible. Turn on lights to help people find you.

Listen for emergency information and alerts. Sign up for KPB Alerts for critical information during emergencies.

Use an N95 mask to keep particles out of the air you breathe. How Smoke from Fires Can Affect Your Health  Wildfire Smoke and Your Health 

Be safe AFTER

Listen to authorities to find out when it is safe to return, and whether water is safe to drink. The KPB Joint Information Center will provide information from multiple agencies for your convenience.

Avoid hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris, and live embers. The ground may contain heat pockets that can burn you or spark another fire. Consider the danger to pets and livestock.

Send text messages or use social media to reach out to family and friends. Phone systems are often busy following a disaster. Make calls only in emergencies.

Wear a NIOSH certified-respirator dust mask and wet debris down to minimize breathing dust particles.

Document property damage with photographs. Conduct an inventory and contact your insurance company for assistance.

Wildfires dramatically change landscape and ground conditions, which can lead to increased risk of flooding due to heavy rains, flash flooding and mudflows. Flood risk remains significantly higher until vegetation is restored—up to 5 years after a wildfire.

Consider purchasing flood insurance to protect the life you've built and to assure financial protection from future flooding.

Prepare BEFORE a Wildfire

1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
2. What is my shelter plan?
3. What is my evacuation route?
4. What is my family/household communication plan?

Sign up for KPB Alerts to receive critical information during emergencies.

Know your community’s evacuation routes.

Have a plan for pets and livestock.

Build a 7-Day Emergency Kit. Try this 7-Day Emergency Kit for an easy to follow plan to build your 7-day kit over 3 months. Consider each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets, make sure you have enough food since shelters don’t normally provide pet food. Have extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment.

Keep important documents in a fireproof safe. Create passwordprotected digital copies.

Use fire-resistant materials to build, renovate, or make repairs.

Find an outdoor water source with a hose that can reach any area of your property.

Create a defensible space around your home that is free of leaves, debris, or flammable materials for at least 30 feet from your home.

Review insurance coverage to make sure it is enough to replace your property.

Burn Permits are required as of April 1st - Alaska Division of Forestry

Related Links

Ready, Set, Go Program
BLM Alaska Fire Service
Alaska Division of Forestry
Alaska Wildland Fire Information

Air Quality
Air Quality Advisories - Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation

The following brochures, checklist and fact sheets have been provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the American Red Cross and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).

Are You Ready For a Fire?
Avoiding Wildfire Damage Checklist 
House and Building Fires Fact Sheet 
Wildfire... Are You Prepared? 
Wildland Fires Fact Sheet

Before, During and After

An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of underground rock. Earthquakes can cause buildings to collapse, large crevices, damage to roads and cause heavy items to fall resulting in injuries and property damage. Earthquakes may also cause tsunamis, landslides and avalanches. The best way to protect yourself and your property is to prepare. 

Alaska has over 10% of the earthquakes world-wide. The 1964 Alaska earthquake is the largest recorded earthquake in North America.

During an Earthquake

KPB Joint Information Hub
for multi-agency incident information

Drop, Cover, and Hold On like you practiced. Drop to your hands and knees so earthquake doesn’t know you down. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Hold on to any sturdy furniture until the shaking stops. Crawl only if you can reach better cover without going through an area with more debris.

If in bed, stay there and cover your head and neck with a pillow.

If inside, stay there until the shaking stops. DO NOT run outside.

If in a vehicle, stop in a clear area that is away from buildings, trees, overpasses, underpasses, or utility wires.

Stay away from kitchens and garages, which tend to be the most dangerous places because of the many items kept there.

If near slopes, cliffs, or mountains, be alert for falling rocks and landslides.

Earthquake information:

• Alaska Earthquake Center
• NOAA/National Weather Service Tsunami Warning Center
• USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
• State of Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission
• Plan Ahead for Disasters and learn how to take action before and after an emergency

Be Safe AFTER

Receive critical information during emergencies - sign up for KPB Alerts.

Expect aftershocks to follow the largest shock of an earthquake.

If you are in tsunami inundation zone go inland or to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops. A rapid rise or fall in coastal waters after a large earthquake is a sign of an approaching tsunami.
National Tsunami Warning Center for tsunami warning information. When you hear a tsunami warning, move at once to higher ground and stay there until local authorities say it is safe to return home. 
Evacuation Routes for Homer and Seward.

Check yourself for injury and provide assistance to others if you have training. If in a damaged building, go outside and quickly move away from the building.

Do not enter damaged buildings.

If you are trapped, cover your mouth. Send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shouting so that rescuers can locate you.

If you are in an area that may experience tsunamis, go inland or to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops.

Save phone calls for emergencies.

Once safe, monitor local news reports via battery operated radio, TV, social media, and cell phone text alerts for emergency information and instructions. Visit the KPB Joint Information Center for up to date multi-agency information.

Use extreme caution during post-disaster clean-up of buildings and around debris. Do not attempt to remove heavy debris by yourself. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves, and sturdy, thick-soled shoes during clean-up.

Before an Earthquake

1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
2. What is my shelter plan?
3. What is my evacuation route?
4. What is my family/household communication plan?

Secure items, such as televisions, and objects that hang on walls. Store heavy and breakable objects on low shelves.

Practice Drop, Cover, then Hold On with family and coworkers. Drop to your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Crawl only as far as needed to reach cover from falling materials. Hold on to any sturdy furniture until the shaking stops.

Create a Family Emergency Communications Plan that has an out-of-state contact. Plan where to meet if you get separated.

Build a 7-Day Emergency Kit. Visit the State of Alaska 7-Day Emergency Kit for an easy to follow plan to build your 7-day kit over 3 months. Consider each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets, make sure you have enough food since shelters don’t normally provide pet food. Have extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment.

Make copies of vital records and keep them in safe spot, preferably outside of the earthquake zone.

Keep an extra pair of eyeglasses and house and car keys on hand.

Keep extra cash and change. If electricity is out, you will not be able to use an ATM.

Locate the shutoff valves for water, gas and electricity. Learn how to shut off the valves before a quake. If you have any questions, call your utility company.

Join your local Community Emergency Response Team so that you can be trained to assist your family, friends and community during an emergency.

Consider obtaining an earthquake insurance policy. Standard homeowner’s insurance does not cover earthquake damage.

Consider a retrofit of your building to correct structural issues that make it vulnerable to collapse during an earthquake.

Protecting Your Property from Earthquakes
Anchor and Brace Propane Tanks and Gas Cylinders  
Anchor Equipment Properly  
Anchor Tall Bookcases and File Cabinets  
Bolt Sill Plates to Foundation  
Brace Cripple Walls 
Install Latches on Drawers and Cabinet Doors  
Mount Framed Pictures and Mirrors Securely 
Restrain Desktop Computers and Appliances 
Use Flexible Connection on Gas and Water Lines 
State of Alaska Earthquake & Tsunami Preparedness for tips on preparing for an earthquake in Alaska

Tsunami Brochures for Homer and Seward 

Homer Tsunami Brochure
    

Seward Tsunami Brochure    

Disasters have and will impact our communities in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. In order for our communities to better withstand and quickly recover from a disaster we all must be prepared to help ourselves and others until professional responders arrive. This website provides tips and templates for helping you get started with your disaster preparedness.

How do you start preparing your household for the next disaster? 

Start by addressing these 4 important questions:

1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?

2. What is my shelter plan? 

3. How do I prepare my household to be self-sufficient for 7 days?

4. What is my family/household communication plan?

1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?

Today we receive information through a lot of sources such as streaming online, social media, radio stations, local TV and satellite providers.  As technology changes so does the way we share information during an emergency.  If you do not have a land line, then you should sign up for KPB Alerts so that if your neighborhood is being evacuated you will receive that notification.

• KPB Alerts - Sign up for KPB Alerts at Alerts.kpb.us   This is the KPB system to notify residents based on their home addresses.  For cell phones you must register your number and location to opt in to receive these notifications. All land lines will automatically receive these notifications.
• Follow KPB Alerts on KPB Alerts Facebook Page and KPB Alerts Twitter
• EAS – Emergency Alert System - this is the federal system that breaks into local tv and radio stations with emergency information.
• Local radio stations
• NOAA weather radio - this radio receives the signal put out to activate tsunami warnings and other weather warnings.  If you live in a tsunami area, we recommend having a NOAA weather radio.
• WEA – Wireless Emergency Alerts - this is the federal system that sends notifications to your cell phones. This is the system that sends out the tsunami warnings.

For current emergency information visit the http://kpboem.blogspot.com/     This blog is your one stop shop for emergency information from many response agencies in the KPB.

Tsunami warnings are issued by NOAA and the National Weather Service to the Kenai Peninsula Borough.  These warnings are issued to all cell phones within the Kenai Peninsula Borough so even those that live outside of the tsunami inundation zone will receive those warnings. 

2. What is my shelter plan?

Always follow local authority's direction if told to evacuate! You can find up to date information on evacuations and shelter locations at the KPB OEM Blog. 

Choosing to take shelter is necessary in many emergencies and that decision must be made based on the circumstances of each threat.  Taking appropriate shelter is critical in times of disaster. Sheltering is appropriate when conditions require that you seek protection in your home, place of employment or other location when disaster strikes. Sheltering outside the hazard area could include staying with friends and relatives, seeking commercial lodging or staying in a mass care facility operated by disaster relief groups.

If you have to evacuate please be aware that disaster shelters cannot accept pets because of public health concerns. Service animals who assist people with disabilities are the only animals allowed in a shelters. Emotional support animals will not be allowed into the shelter. Develop a plan for your pets and livestock before a disaster happens so that you can quickly evacuate and keep you and your pets safe!

If you have to evacuate and it's safe to do so consider checking with neighbors that may need a ride or additional assistance leaving their homes.

Information for sheltering in place and evacuating:
Ready.gov Sheltering
Shelter In Place Tips

3. How do I prepare my household to be self-sufficient for 7 days?

Following a disaster, there may be power outages that could last for several days or even weeks.  Follow this plan developed by the State of Alaska to build a 7-day emergency kit for your household over a period of 12 weeks so that you can spread out the cost of building your kit.

In Alaska, we recommend having supplies for your household to survive at least 7 days on your own, it would be better to have 14 day's worth of supplies.

There are many lists and ways to develop a preparedness kit. Some people create a stash with shelf stable food that can last up to 25 years while others find that keeping extra non-perishable food in their cupboards by using the first in first out method to avoid food going bad. Replace expired items and review your needs every year and update your kit as your family's needs change.   

Here are a few links with guidance on creating and maintaining your emergency kit.

Ready.Gov Build-A Kit

Red Cross Survival Kit Supplies

Weather.Gov kit and maintaining your kit

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Emergency Supplies for Earthquake Preparedness

Emergency supplies for your pets and livestock

4. What is my family/household communication plan? 

When a disaster strikes we need to be able to connect with our loved ones. It is important to limit the use of phone lines during a disaster response to enable emergency responders to coordinate response actions. Text is best!

If phones do not work how will you reconnect with your household members?  
Will I be able to reach them?
How will I know they are safe?
How can I let them know I’m OK?

• Make a plan for each family member to contact the same friend or relative to coordinante plans during an emergency.
• Develop a phone tree with two in-state contacts and one out-of-state contact. 
• Develop a plan for how you will contact each other and what you will do in different situations such as when the kids are at school and parents are at work.

You can use this household communication plan template to make your plan.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Local Emergency Planning Committee is to prepare emergency response plans for all hazards, whether natural or manmade, occurring in the community; and to establish procedures for receiving and processing requests from the public for information generated by SARA Title III reporting requirements.

The KPB LEPD

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Local Emergency Planning District (LEPD) is located in Southcentral Alaska. The LEPD has a population of approximately 50,000 increasing to 150,000 during the summer tourist season.  The Kenai Peninsula Borough's economy is diverse with fishing, tourism, government, transportation, retail and the petrochemical industry.  Major communities include Homer, Kachemak City, Kenai, Nikiski, Soldotna and Seward.  These communities are connected by a state-maintained, paved two-lane highway system leading to Anchorage.  There are numerous communities, such as Seldovia, that are located within the borough, but are not part of the road system.  These communities also fall under the borough's and LEPD's planning responsibility.

Hazard Analysis:  HIGH RISK

The borough has conducted a hazard vulnerability analysis that has identified the following hazards:  earthquake, volcano, energy shortage, tsunami, fire, weather extremes, hazmat, flood, transportation accident and terrorism.

The LEPD covers approximately 25,000 square miles, approximately the same size as Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire combined (about half the size of the state of Washington).  Much of the planning district is largely uninhabited.  Fjord-like estuaries characterize large stretches of shoreline and a large percentage of the coastal areas are highly mountainous.  Marshes are found in the northern portion of the planning district.  Though much of the district is relatively pristine, offshore platforms, shoreline refineries, and oil and hazardous substance transportation routes (by water, rail, highway and pipeline) serve to threaten the generally high environmental quality of the area.  The numerous industries make up a diverse economy that is particularly vulnerable to technological disaster.

The weather in Cook Inlet regularly generates storms with winds up to 100 knots and waves of 35 feet.  The tidal currents can exceed six knots.  There are ice flows in the winter that can completely close Upper Cook Inlet to vessel traffic.

Cook Inlet is dotted by 16 offshore oil/gas drilling platforms.  In addition there is an oil refinery, and the only LNG producing plant in the North American continent.  Also present are fish processing plants that can have present large quantities of ammonia, gasoline, diesel, and propane.  The Nikiski area receives and ships the largest quantities of petroleum products, and in fact the greatest tonnage of waterborne trade, in Southcentral Alaska.

Reporting & Other Resources

Public Records Request

Meetings

The public is invited to attend all meetings.

LEPC Meeting Schedule

2025 - Quarterly meetings generally held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month

January 15
April 16
July 16
October 15

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 – 9 a.m.

Location and Zoom Info T.B.A.

Primary Members of July 2024

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has the primary day-to-day area-wide responsibility for natural and human-caused disaster management, community preparedness and mitigation planning programs and activities. Visitors to our site can view disaster response and mitigation plans, preparedness information, and other important information.  The OEM also coordinates the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), which meets quarterly.

READY, SET, GO!

Get to know the Ready, Set, Go! Preparedness and Response Program, including joint information from wildfires to flooding at info.kpb.us.