💙✈Air Carriers Unite to Deliver Lifeline to Western Alaska After Floods

By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | October 16, 2025

ANCHORAGE – In the wake of devastating storms and flooding along Alaska’s western coast, several Alaska-based air cargo carriers have joined forces to ensure critical relief supplies reach impacted communities.

Alaska Air Cargo, Everts Air Cargo, Grant Aviation, Lynden Air Cargo, Northern Air Cargo, and Ryan Air are working together to fly donated goods from Anchorage to Bethel, where local relief groups will coordinate distribution to affected residents. 

These carriers are serving as the logistical backbone of the response. In many of the hardest-hit areas, there are no roads or alternative routes, making air transport the only practical option. 

How You Can Help

If you live in or near Anchorage, Wasilla, or Fairbanks, here’s how to support relief efforts:

• Drop off donated supplies (packed in boxes or totes) at GCI retail stores in Anchorage (C Street, Dimond Center, East, Abbott), Wasilla, and Fairbanks through October 27th. 
• During the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Anchorage October 17th: 1 pm to 5 pm and October 18th: 8am to 2pm. Donations will be accepted on the 2nd floor of the Dena’ina Center. 

Please do not bring donations to airline terminals or cargo facilities. Only approved drop-off locations can be used. 

Currently needed items include:

• New bedding
• New adult and youth clothing (hats, socks, gloves, jackets, snow pants, underwear)
• Baby and toddler gear (onesies, winter wear, swaddles, blankets, diapers, formula)
• Phone chargers
• Toilet paper, bottled water
• Personal hygiene items
• Over-the-counter medical supplies (Tylenol, Ibuprofen, band-aids)
• Nonperishable food
• Cleaning wipes (Clorox wipes)
• Headlamps, backpacks, duffel bags
• Flat cardboard boxes, packing totes, tape, garbage bags 

Do not include used clothing or bedding, or hazardous materials such as propane tanks, butane canisters, cleaning chemicals, or lithium batteries. 

Because relief needs can evolve quickly, donors are encouraged to check the social media pages of participating carriers for updates on requested items and drop-off logistics. 

If You’re Outside the Area

For those not in the Anchorage or Fairbanks region, cash donations are the most efficient way to help. The Alaska Community Foundation is accepting contributions via its Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund. 

Other respected organizations responding to the disaster include the American Red Cross of Alaska and the Salvation Army Alaska Division. 

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Shelter Support for Evacuees

As flooding forced evacuations from Western Alaska villages, the American Red Cross of Alaska quickly established a shelter at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. It is now ready to receive evacuees from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, with space prepared for 264 residents.

Food services and healthcare providers are standing by, thanks to a rapid, all-hands effort by the University of Alaska Anchorage, Southcentral Foundation, Salvation Army Alaska Division, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Alaska Native Medical Center, Anchorage Parks and Recreation, Alaska Department of Health’s Health Care Coalition, Lutheran Disaster Response, Municipality of Anchorage, the Alaska National Guard, and many others.

Their teamwork turned a massive facility into a functioning relief center within hours, a reminder that when disaster strikes, Alaskans move fast to take care of their own.

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As the storms recede, what remains is Alaska’s familiar spirit of resilience and generosity. From pilots and cargo crews to neighbors filling boxes with supplies, this relief effort shows that even in the state’s most remote corners, no community stands alone. Every donation, flight, and act of kindness helps carry Western Alaska a little closer to recovery and reminds us what it truly means to be Alaska strong.

For more specifics please visit Lynden Air Cargo.