The Anchorage Municipal Assembly on Oct. 17, 2025, approved emergency measures to allow the municipality to provide technical and operational support to the State of Alaska and to people displaced from Western Alaska by a recent storm.

The assembly unanimously passed Emergency Ordinance EO 2025-1 and later adopted Resolution AR 2025-318, which extends the mayor's proclamation of civil emergency related to Western Alaska storm displacement. Both measures passed on a recorded vote of 12-0.

Why it matters: The temporary code change expands the municipal definition of a civil emergency to include a state or federal disaster outside Anchorage that creates a need for extraordinary response within the municipality. The change allows the mayor to declare a municipal emergency, reallocate staff and resources rapidly, and position the municipality for state or federal reimbursement of related expenses.

The vote and immediate response: The ordinance was moved by Assembly Member Crowley and seconded by Member Roland; the clerk recorded a unanimous 12-0 vote. A subsequent motion to reconsider the ordinance failed on a vote of 0-12. The resolution to extend the proclamation was moved and seconded and passed 12-0; the assembly set the proclamation's end date to 10 p.m. on Dec. 16, 2025, a day the assembly will meet and may revisit the extension.

Mayor's statement and operational details: The mayor told the assembly the municipality has been coordinating with the State of Alaska, Governor Dunlevy's office, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, tribal leaders, the Red Cross, and nonprofit partners to provide emergency shelter, temporary housing and other supports. The mayor said the municipality had been told to prepare for up to 1,600 evacuees being relocated to Anchorage and that at least 572 people had arrived in the previous two days.

"This code change will temporarily expand the definition of civil emergency to include a State or Federal disaster outside of Anchorage but which results in the need for extraordinary emergency response measures within the municipality," the mayor said, explaining that a municipal emergency proclamation would let the city act more quickly and seek reimbursement so municipal taxpayers are not burdened.

Municipal manager and city operations: The municipal manager said the city was ready to provide requested support, including use of the Egan and Alaska Airlines Center facilities, Parks and Recreation staff to support shower facilities, plumbing for temporary shower trailers, and staffing for shelter operations. The manager said the municipality was considering measures such as traffic calming downtown to account for more pedestrians while evacuees are sheltered there.

School district role: Anchorage School District Superintendent Bridal told the assembly the district activated its emergency operations center, provided school buses to transport evacuees from arrival points, and was streamlining registration and enrollment for students who want to begin school next week. The superintendent said the state commissioner had "verbally confirmed" that displaced students would be fully counted within the Anchorage School District for funding purposes, and the governor had conveyed that applicable costs would be reimbursed to minimize burden on the district's general fund.

Public comment and community response: Public speakers addressed both support for evacuees and concerns about local unsheltered residents. One speaker, Jamie Lopez, urged the city to extend similar levels of relief to Anchorage residents currently unsheltered and warned that policies criminalizing certain survival behaviors could endanger people living outdoors. A faith leader, Pastor Adrianne, urged unity and praised the mayor's outreach to faith-based and nonprofit partners offering food, clothing and housing assistance; another speaker from Shiloh Community Housing described readiness to provide furniture and starter kits for relocated families.

Next steps and timeline: The assembly ratified the mayor's proclamation and extended it through Dec. 16, 2025, noting that the assembly meeting that day will provide an opportunity to revisit the proclamation. The city continues to coordinate with state and federal partners on FEMA and other potential reimbursements. The assembly and administration emphasized the need for long-term plans for housing and trauma-informed services for students and families displaced by the storm.

Votes at a glance: Emergency Ordinance EO 2025-1 — Passed 12-0 (motion: Move to approve; mover: Member Crowley; second: Member Roland). Motion to reconsider EO 2025-1 — Failed 0-12. Resolution AR 2025-318 (extension of proclamation) — Passed 12-0.

The assembly session closed with members stressing continued coordination between municipal, state and federal agencies and with nonprofit and faith-based partners as Anchorage serves as a temporary hub for evacuees from Western Alaska.