Rebuilding after disasters.

• Position: SPECIAL SECTION: Building Alaska

Last September, high winds and flooding damaged buildings, roads and other infrastructure in Alaska from north of Talkeetna to Seward. Emergency responders at all levels took action. Gov. Sean Parnell declared a disaster and the feds followed suit. Alaska Railroad crews worked night and day to repair storm-damaged infrastructure and deal with disruptions to operations. The high winds caused numerous and sometimes lengthy power outages--electric company crews worked around the clock as well.

In the Matanuska-Susitna Borough alone damage stats include: four homes destroyed, 800 buildings damaged, 70 roads damaged during the flood with 40 impassable at one time, 141 homeowners applied for aid, and 21 families required temporary housing. Going south, the Kenai Peninsula Borough also was battered as were other areas of the state. Construction projects this year will include rebuilding after the disaster. The Small Business...