Blizzard cuts off North Slope village

SIKU CIRCUMPOLAR NEWS

The Inupiat village of Kaktovik on Alaska’s North Slope was under siege last week when a blizzard knocked out power, leaving the community of 300 in the dark and the cold.

During the crisis, food and water were rationed and one case of carbon monoxide poisoning was reported.

Electric linemen, tools and supplies, including portable lights were finally airdropped in. Later, a cargo plane was able to bring more electricians, plumbers and supplies to start repairing the damage.