Coastal flooding and high winds impact Kotzebue and parts of west coast Alaska | News [Video]

This is the scene from Kotzebue after heavy coastal flooding and high winds hit the Western coast.

Toppled buildings, washed-away docks and flooded airports have left this community stranded.

Lance Kramer lives close to the seawall in Kotzebue, and explains he was scared seeing the high water.

“I didn’t think it would go over the seawall,” said Lance Kramer. 

Others checked on their family members.

“Some parts of Kotzebue being under water and including my mother in law’s house. I called her and she said, there is a mattress floating by,” said Michelle Kubalack. 

Although Lance and Michelle were not directly affected by the storm, others were. And as winter approaches, the urgency for repairs and assistance is greater than ever.

“How are you going to get insulation, right? How are you going to get plywood? Everything costs a lot of money,” said Kramer.

“Parts of town that are not protected by the seawall. Multiple homes …