Little Diomede residents are fearing for safety and utilities after the city building partially collapsed into the school on Sunday morning (Nov 26). No injuries have been reported according to Jen Wallace, an emergency management specialist for the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC).
The village experienced a power outage lasting over two hours following the collapse of the city building, which also impacted water and TelAlaska phone services according to an emailed statement from Wallace.
Wallace said the Tribal Coordinator of Diomede, Frances Ozenna, notified the SEOC of the situation Sunday afternoon. According to the statement, Ozenna reported that fuel tanks had been disconnected in fear of safety and utilities.
According to the statement, Ozenna told the SEOC the stilts of the building had rotten out underneath it.
The city office and the surrounding area were vacated after the collapse, according to the statement.
The school is asking for assistance in keeping children away from the school building for safety and for homes with internet to email the principal at steve.bellande@dio.bssd.org.
Updates will be posted to the Diomede School Facebook page.
Photo at top: The city building shifts into the school due to rotten stilts. (Curtesy of Carla Ahkvaluk, Little Diomede)
Correction: (11/28) This story was updated to accurately reflect the time most residents were without power, and reason for collapse.
