Help Arthur & Kat Recover from Mudslide
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Arthur & Kat realized a dream to hand-build a home together in Hollis, Alaska, until a mudslide covered their home in mud and trees. Please help them recover!
National Media didn't cover the devastating rains and mudslides
that affected Prince of Wales Island and Southeastern Alaska on January 13th, 2014. And because the state didn't declare a state of emergency, there is no financial help coming to those affected. Further, as the roads and the surrounding lands are owned by different government agencies and groups, no one is taking responsibility. Even their insurance company is refusing to cover damages from the mudslide.
Worse, in the time that has passed, new torrential rain has started in the area. As of March 10th, flooding has caused water to run underneath the house, ruining the foundation - with a creek running through the kitchen, it is only a matter of time before the house completely falls over.
The home that Art & Kat lovingly built - a home they intended to spend their retirement together in - is now unlivable. Thankfully, they were both able to get out of the house before the mudslide hit and they have neighbors who have taken them in. But they desperately need support to clear the trees and debris out of their land and rebuild their home. Please help!
In Art's own words:
"What is on my mind today?!? We had an incident on Tuesday that left us alive and in one piece, but, we did get some major damage to our home and property. Photos attached show what happens when the mountain comes down to meet you. Two "Slides" took place, about 400' apart from each other, just above us. It was about 1PM on Tuesday afternoon.We had been getting heavy rain since the day before, and, the road we live on had a wash out below us. Up to 8"+ of or record rain did the culverts in. As we were in our home, we heard strange noises out side and I went to look out at the road to see if something might be coming down the road. As I turned back, I looked out the window to the pond area, I saw a large bunch of trees, on their side, slide down into the gully where the pond is. I yelled to Kat to look out the window. From that point on, things happened fast.Trees wildly swinging back and forth up by the highway above us! Then the power lines and poles did the same and then went down! Then we watched as a mound of mud and trees rolled over our side of the road and started down hill!In at least three wave of motion, the space between us and our next door camp filled up with mud and trees to the point that we could not see their camp.That is about 30+' of stuff! The second wave had us watching some of the stuff come at the back of the cabin. We watched as the side window broke and the corner of the cabin pushed in. It also moved the entire home back about 3'! About this time, the thought came to mind that we might want to leave! About 5-10 mins. had gone by at this moment. We ducked out and headed down the drive way as there was a scene of movement all around us. Trees coming down, wind blowing, and rain pelting us. The van was surrounded by trees and branches. It was not going any where. We went down to Scott Moore's house and waited out the slide. I was able to get the van out, later that night, when the trees moved off the roof. The van got some dents but is water tight and drivable. We are staying at our neighbor's for now. The cabin is a total loss. The addition is intact but the footings fell over and the building is off center. Now we have to wait till the mess is cleared away on the roads before any kind of cleanup can happen. All of POW lost internet. We lost our dish and will have to come here to the library to use their connection. Kat, Debra, and I are fine."
National Media didn't cover the devastating rains and mudslides
that affected Prince of Wales Island and Southeastern Alaska on January 13th, 2014. And because the state didn't declare a state of emergency, there is no financial help coming to those affected. Further, as the roads and the surrounding lands are owned by different government agencies and groups, no one is taking responsibility. Even their insurance company is refusing to cover damages from the mudslide.
Worse, in the time that has passed, new torrential rain has started in the area. As of March 10th, flooding has caused water to run underneath the house, ruining the foundation - with a creek running through the kitchen, it is only a matter of time before the house completely falls over.
The home that Art & Kat lovingly built - a home they intended to spend their retirement together in - is now unlivable. Thankfully, they were both able to get out of the house before the mudslide hit and they have neighbors who have taken them in. But they desperately need support to clear the trees and debris out of their land and rebuild their home. Please help!
We - Robin, Michelle, and all of Art & Kat's extended family - have put together this website to help them, in the hopes of raising money to allow them to rebuild their lives and clean up and seal their home before further winter storms come in.
In Art's own words:
"What is on my mind today?!? We had an incident on Tuesday that left us alive and in one piece, but, we did get some major damage to our home and property. Photos attached show what happens when the mountain comes down to meet you. Two "Slides" took place, about 400' apart from each other, just above us. It was about 1PM on Tuesday afternoon.We had been getting heavy rain since the day before, and, the road we live on had a wash out below us. Up to 8"+ of or record rain did the culverts in. As we were in our home, we heard strange noises out side and I went to look out at the road to see if something might be coming down the road. As I turned back, I looked out the window to the pond area, I saw a large bunch of trees, on their side, slide down into the gully where the pond is. I yelled to Kat to look out the window. From that point on, things happened fast.Trees wildly swinging back and forth up by the highway above us! Then the power lines and poles did the same and then went down! Then we watched as a mound of mud and trees rolled over our side of the road and started down hill!In at least three wave of motion, the space between us and our next door camp filled up with mud and trees to the point that we could not see their camp.That is about 30+' of stuff! The second wave had us watching some of the stuff come at the back of the cabin. We watched as the side window broke and the corner of the cabin pushed in. It also moved the entire home back about 3'! About this time, the thought came to mind that we might want to leave! About 5-10 mins. had gone by at this moment. We ducked out and headed down the drive way as there was a scene of movement all around us. Trees coming down, wind blowing, and rain pelting us. The van was surrounded by trees and branches. It was not going any where. We went down to Scott Moore's house and waited out the slide. I was able to get the van out, later that night, when the trees moved off the roof. The van got some dents but is water tight and drivable. We are staying at our neighbor's for now. The cabin is a total loss. The addition is intact but the footings fell over and the building is off center. Now we have to wait till the mess is cleared away on the roads before any kind of cleanup can happen. All of POW lost internet. We lost our dish and will have to come here to the library to use their connection. Kat, Debra, and I are fine."
Organizer
Robin Hill
Organizer
Craig, AK
