Environment
Native village in Arctic blasted by winter storm


The Inupiat Eskimo village of Kaktovik has been crippled by a major storm that knocked out power and hindered delivery of supplies to the remote community in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

High winds knocked out power over the weekend for many of the 300 residents. Some congregated at the school until it lost power too. Others are holed up in buildings and stuck in their homes, forced to deal with freezing temperatures.

"It's getting pretty grim," borough disaster coordinator Rob Elkins told The Anchorage Daily News.

The Alaska Air National Guard has been attempting to land a plane to deliver supplies but has been hindered by high winds and low visibility. A train of vehicles is on its way to the village to bring fuel, food and water.

Get the Story:
Help on way to Kaktovik (The Anchorage Daily News 1/12)
Helicopter reaches isolated Arctic village (AP 1/12)
Rescue chopper reaches isolated Kaktovik (The Anchorage Daily News 1/11)