Alaska governor issues disaster declaration for areas affected by flooding from breakup of river ice

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Gov. Mike Dunleavy has issued a state disaster declaration for southwest Alaska communities that have experienced flooding due to the spring breakup of river ice and snowmelt.Water surrounded some homes in low-lying areas of the regional hub of Bethel, while much of Kwethluk was flooded and high water cut off access to the airport in Napaskiak, the Anchorage Daily News reported Friday. Kwethluk, which has about 790 residents, is 12 miles (19 kilometers) east of Bethel and is the second-largest community along the Lower…