Earthquake

A tsunami warning was issued and then canceled Thursday night for the Aleutian chain, after a 7.3 preliminary-magnitude earthquake struck 20 miles southeast of Amutka Pass. The warning was issued for the areas between Unimak Pass and Amchitka Pass at 7:17 p.m., and then canceled at 8:22 after no tsunami was observed. Residents of Atka and Dutch Harbor were evacuated to higher ground, but have since returned home. "Everyone has four wheelers or vans and everyone wentup to higher ground," said Lorraine Loyd, of Atka.

One year ago, a devastating earthquake in Haiti killed more than 230,000 people. A brother and sister from Alaska survived that day and now the family is celebrating life and survival with a new family member. During the quake, Christa Brelsford was trapped under rubble when a 19-year-old Haitian man, Wenson Georges, saved her life. Now the Brelsford family and Georges are in Alaska. The family says this was the best gift they could think of. Georges was greeted by dozens of people when he arrived in Anchorage Tuesday.

After surviving the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Anchorage resident Christa Brelsford is out of the hospital and back at school in Arizona. And even though she's still recovering from the loss of part of her leg, Christa is taking big steps to help earthquake victims still struggling in Haiti. Her family says Christa is happy to be out of the hospital, and now she's tackling a new challenge. "I expect it to be a challenge. I'm used to running around on two feet," she told a TV station in Miami.

by Channel 2 News staff Monday, January 18, 2010 EAGLE RIVER, Alaska -- An Eagle River girl is sending help to Haiti. Twelve-year old Evelyn Sharratt-Ash's specialty is home-made lemonade. She usually takes the winters off, but she wanted to help kids in Haiti when they need it the most.  She's selling hot chocolate and warm cookies, and plans to give the money she raises to the Red Cross to help people recovering after last week's earthquake. Evelyn read about the disaster in the newspaper and said she knew she could help.

State and Federal Officials report the West Cost is not in any immediate danger from increased radiation levels following several explosions at nuclear power plants in Japan. "We've got the best people we have available monitoring the situation," said Greg Wilkinson, Public Information Officer for the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.  "We've got scientists, we've got physicians, we've got the people from the military, I mean everybody is keeping an eye on this.

A fundraising effort is underway in Palmer to help its longtime Sister City, Saroma, in Japan. "I heard almost immediately from those friends in Saroma that they had felt the earthquake but that they were not in any particular danger there wasn't any major damage there which I was very thankful for," said Linda Combs. She is the co-organizer of Palmer Saroma Kai, the organization to facilitate the Sister City relationship.  Saroma dodged much of the devastation the island nation endured after the earthquake and tsunami.  But some say they worry that Saroma will be impacted as the country works to rebuild.

by Ashton Goodell Friday, January 29, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- More help is on the way to Haiti, as Alaska Air National Guardsmen head to the country after the massive earthquake two weeks ago. A C-130 transport took off from Kulis Air National Guard Base Friday, headed to Homestead Air National Guard Base in Florida. The Alaska team plans to fly daily missions from Florida to Haiti bringing in food, water, and medical supplies. They'll also evacuate those still in need of medical care.

The effects of the earthquake in Haiti can be felt thousands of miles away, even in Alaska.One Anchorage family just recently found out that their children survived the earthquake are safe. The Brelsford family says their daughter, who was evacuated to Miami, might need to have her leg amputated. Still the family says at least their two children are OK. "They're amazing people and we are proud," Terry Brelsford said. With photos close by and a phone that seems to constantly ring, emotions run high in the Brelsford home.

by Christine Kim Saturday, March 13, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile may have struck a long way from here, but the threat hits close to home. The Alaska Earthquake Information Center reports 20,000 earthquakes each year -- but only two insurance companies offer earthquake insurance to Alaskans. When you buy homeowner's insurance, the policy doesn't include damage from earthquakes or floods, which has to be added as optional coverage.

The saying "Keep on Truckin'" has special meaning for Carlile Transportation Systems, which celebrated its 30th birthday Thursday with a big party for its customers.    Many guests at Carlile's party were longtime customers, some of whom go back far enough to remember when the company started out with just two truckers: John McDonald and his brother Harry. “Harry came by over 30 years ago when he was driving his own truck, and we started doing business with him -- and we've being doing business with him ever since,” said Ken Sherwood, president of Alaska Mill and Feed.