The mayor told the Assembly Housing and Homeless Committee on Oct. 15 that the state has requested Anchorage find temporary housing for up to 1,500 people displaced by the disaster in Western Alaska and that an additional 500 people are expected to go directly to the University of Alaska Anchorage.

The request arrived the morning of the meeting, and the mayor said municipal emergency management and health staff were working with partners to identify large municipal facilities that could be used for mass shelter, including the Egan Center and Sullivan Arena. "As mayor, I stand ready to help in any way we can," the mayor said.

Why it matters: Anchorage is being asked to receive a large, sudden influx of people — families, elders and whole communities — and municipal staff said the scale of the movement is unprecedented in Alaska. That will require rapid coordination across emergency management, health services, tribal leaders and nonprofit partners for sheltering, food, medical care and transport.

How the response is being organized
- The Red Cross is sending a national team; World Kitchen was named as a food provider in early response efforts.
- Linden Transport is serving as a hub for physical goods being sent to the Bethel region; aircraft have been allocated to move donations.
- The Dena'ina Center (during the Alaska Federation of Natives conference) was identified as a local collection point for nonperishable items; organizers said clothing stockpiles are adequate for the moment.
- The Alaska Community Foundation is raising cash donations to support needs that are not easily met by in-kind items (phone chargers, prepaid phones, and other immediate needs).

Officials said priority needs identified from Bethel included baby wipes, diapers and nonperishable food; monetary donations were encouraged for items that are difficult to coordinate by commodity (for example phone service or chargers).

What officials asked of the public
The committee was asked to help centralize contact information and donation instructions on the committee website while officials continue to coordinate with tribal leaders and state partners. The mayor and municipal staff said they will report back to the committee as plans solidify.

Next steps
Staff said facility identification and logistics were ongoing and that more detailed information — on arrival timing, final facility selections and exact family composition — will be provided in the days ahead.