The Trump administration denied Alaska’s request for full federal disaster funding, requiring the state to pay 25% of recovery costs despite prior promises.

The Trump administration has denied Alaska’s request for full federal funding to cover initial disaster response costs after October 2025 storms, despite earlier assurances of 100% reimbursement for the first 90 days. The state, which declared a disaster emergency and received federal approval, now faces covering 25% of recovery expenses, with FEMA currently reimbursing about 75%. Alaska appealed on January 15, seeking 90% federal cost sharing due to the storm’s severity, remote location, and high aviation and evacuation costs, but has not yet received a response. Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office confirmed the appeal without explaining the discrepancy between initial promises and the denial. Alaska’s congressional delegation supports the appeal, citing the ongoing financial strain and challenges in remote recovery efforts.