Flooding in Alaska and Arizona tests Native communities, and Conservative leadership quickly responds
As Native Americans for Sovereignty and Preservation, we stand with Our Relatives across this great nation, especially in times of crisis. The recent devastating floods in western Alaska and near the San Carlos Apache Tribe in Arizona have tested our Indigenous communities, but they have also highlighted the unwavering commitment of today’s leaders to swift action and support. These events remind us of the vital importance of self-determination, federal partnerships, and strong conservative governance in protecting our homelands. In this post, we’ll examine the impacts, celebrate the recovery efforts led by President Donald J. Trump, Governor Mike Dunleavy, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, and Congressman Eli Crane, and outline ways you can lend a hand.
Catastrophic Flooding Ravages Western Alaska Villages
In mid-October 2025, remnants of Typhoon Halong hit Alaska’s Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The storm surge flooded remote indigenous villages and displaced more than 1,500 people. In communities like Kipnuk, the storm destroyed up to 90% of structures. Military transport planes evacuated residents, and the Coast Guard rescued dozens. The flooding submerged homes, schools, and essential infrastructure. Families lost power and shelter for weeks. Recovery experts say return could take at least 18 months for some. This underscores the unique challenges faced by Alaska Native villages with limited road access and coastal dependence.
This disaster hit hard in areas rich with Yup’ik and other Native traditions. Flooding not only destroys physical assets but also disrupts cultural practices tied to the land and water. Amid the wreckage, glimmers of hope emerge as locals pile debris and rebuild with determination.
Floods Threaten San Carlos Apache Lands in Arizona
Closer to the heart of the Southwest, heavy monsoon rains and tropical storm remnants triggered flash floods and evacuations in the San Carlos Apache Tribe area during September and October 2025. Road closures and emergency orders affected tribal communities in Gila County, with swift waters endangering lives and property near the San Carlos River. In one harrowing incident, police rescued five children from raging currents, while broader flooding in nearby Globe claimed two lives and left one person missing. These events have strained resources in a region already grappling with arid conditions, turning seasonal rains into torrents that erode sacred grounds and vital infrastructure.
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________For the San Carlos Apache, the Gila River watershed is the lifeblood of their community. These floods serve as a stark reminder of environmental vulnerabilities on reservation lands. Evacuations displaced families. Ongoing search-and-rescue efforts highlight the human toll. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has since included the San Carlos Apache Tribe in its disaster declaration. This offers crucial loan relief.
Conservative Leadership: Fast-tracking Assistance
What sets these recoveries apart is the decisive response from Republican stalwarts. Their approach is bipartisan, yet conservative-driven. They prioritize rapid aid without bureaucratic red tape.
- President Donald J. Trump has demonstrated a commitment to disaster relief, approving federal disaster declarations for both Alaska and Arizona to provide critical support for tribal nations. For Alaska, President Trump approved $25 million in immediate federal aid on October 22, 2025, to assist with recovery from the remnants of Typhoon Halong, enabling direct grants for housing repairs, infrastructure rebuilding, and essential services in affected Native villages. His administration enhanced FEMA’s capabilities to deliver timely assistance directly to those in need, bypassing delays and ensuring funds reach indigenous communities efficiently.
- In Alaska, Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy acted with urgency, issuing a state disaster declaration on October 9, 2025, for the West Coast Storm and coordinating with federal partners to evacuate hundreds of people. His leadership mobilized state resources, including the Alaska National Guard, and secured President Trump’s approval for an enhanced federal disaster declaration on October 22, 2025, allowing villages to access grants for rebuilding resilient infrastructure.
- SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, a key Trump appointee, has been instrumental in mobilizing economic recovery tools. On October 23, 2025, she announced the deployment of SBA disaster teams to Alaska, underscoring the agency’s commitment to low-interest loans and grants despite any federal shutdown risks, and affirmed similar support for Arizona’s tribal areas through expanded loan access for small businesses and homeowners.
- Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ) visited flood-hit Globe and Miami on October 13, 2025, assessed the damage, and helped organize assistance. He announced SBA disaster loans with low-interest options to help Arizona families and businesses recover quickly.
Crane has been active in supporting communities affected by the Gila County floods, coordinating federal resources, and sharing updates about SBA disaster loans for tribal nations, businesses, and residents. He extended in-person SBA customer service hours at the Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce and encouraged those affected to seek help with loan applications, demonstrating his commitment to practical support for Native communities.
To access assistance, affected residents should take the following key steps: First, apply to FEMA’s Individual Assistance programs for grants covering temporary housing, repairs, and other essentials. Next, eligible businesses and individuals should apply for the SBA’s low-interest loans for physical damage and economic injury. Be mindful that application deadlines are December 9, 2025, for Arizona physical damage and November 4, 2025, for Alaska individual aid. Apply online at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov or DisasterAssistance.gov.
Authoritative Ways to Support Recovery
To aid Native-led recovery efforts, follow these clear, respected steps: Donate through trusted channels below, apply for loans or grants if eligible, and contact official tribal offices for direct support. These actions help preserve sovereignty while supporting immediate needs.
Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund (Alaska Community Foundation): This fund was created in collaboration with regional partners, including the Association of Village Council Presidents and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, to ensure funds go directly to affected Native villages for immediate and long-term recovery. Visit here for more information.
SBA Disaster Loan Assistance: Eligible people and businesses in Arizona and Alaska can apply for low-interest loans through the official SBA site. Use this federal, no-cost path to rebuild homes and businesses. Visit the site to apply. For Arizona, go here. For Alaska, go here.
FEMA Individual Assistance: For grants to cover housing and repairs in the Alaska (DR-4789) and Arizona (DR-4790) areas, affected people should register now. Visit the disasterassistance.gov site to start.
American Red Cross Disaster Relief: The Red Cross is a key coordinating partner for shelters and supplies in both states. Donate securely and specify the Alaska/Arizona flood relief if possible.
Every dollar and act of solidarity advances our shared sovereignty. If you’re able, pair your support with advocacy by urging representatives to uphold these federal commitments.
Floods may wash away homes, but they cannot erode the spirit of our rural communities or the resolve of leaders like President Trump, Governor Dunleavy, and Congressman Crane. As we navigate these trials, Native Americans for Sovereignty and Preservation recommits to amplifying Indigenous voices and championing policies that empower our nations. Together, guided by conservative principles of self-reliance and federal efficiency, we’ll rebuild stronger. Stay informed, stay supportive, and stand sovereign.
