This complex, multi-year recovery effort began immediately following Haines’ devastating December 2, 2020, storm event and represents one of the most significant coordinated infrastructure reconstruction programs undertaken in Southeast Alaska in recent years. The storm’s destruction, triggered by a rain-on-snow weather event, delivered record-breaking rainfall and caused extensive flooding and dozens of landslides across the Haines Borough. Natural and man-made drainage systems were quickly overwhelmed, resulting in widespread road washouts, utility damage, and structural loss. The largest landslide, triggered by saturated slopes above Beach Road, destroyed private residences and killed two people, leaving a dramatic scar on the landscape and devastating the community.
The unprecedented nature of the event and the scale of the impacts led the Haines Borough and State emergency officials to request federal assistance. A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration was issued for the affected regions of Alaska, enabling Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding to support recovery efforts.
proHNS was engaged early in the response, with staff on the ground assisting the Borough in documenting damages for FEMA eligibility and application submittals. Over the ensuing years, proHNS provided comprehensive engineering services across 11 individual FEMA-funded projects totaling nearly $12 million in construction. Services provided included damage assessments, project scoping and surveying, hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, environmental permitting, development of bid-ready design packages, procurement support, construction administration, inspection services, and ongoing FEMA grant coordination through project closeout. The overall project encompassed a broad team effort, including multiple project partners and subconsultants over the five-year coordination towards completion.
The list of projects included in the Haines 2020 Flood Damage Repairs includes:
- Chilkoot Loop Retaining Wall Repairs (Completed in 2022)
- Young Road Repairs (Completed in 2022)
- Porcupine Trail Road Phase I Repairs (Completed in 2023)
- Beach Road Repairs (Completed in 2023)
- Soap Suds Alley Repairs (Completed in 2023)
- Totem Street Repairs (Completed in 2023)
- Dalton Street Repairs (Completed in 2024)
- Citywide Culverts and Minor Road Repairs (Completed in 2025)
- Cathedral View Drive Repairs (Completed in 2025)
- Second Avenue Repairs (Substantially complete in 2025)
- Lily Lake Road Repairs (Ongoing, estimated completion in 2026)
