October 31, 2025

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) deployed Operations Manager Jordan Abshire through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) to assist Alaska in response and recovery operations following Typhoon Halong, which caused widespread coastal damage and displaced residents across multiple communities. The event has been declared a federal disaster, triggering national support and coordination to assist impacted communities.

Abshire is serving as Deputy Incident Commander, supporting Alaska’s emergency management leadership team in coordinating recovery and response operations. Her deployment comes at the request of the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM) as the state continues to manage significant infrastructure damage and displaced residents. 

Abshire will assist in overseeing incident management operations, resource coordination, and interagency communications. She will work closely with Alaska state officials, federal partners, and responding agencies to ensure that recovery efforts are organized and efficient.

“I am honored to support the State of Alaska during the recovery,” Abshire said. “Our team is working side by side with state, tribal, local, and federal partners to ensure assistance reaches survivors as quickly and smoothly as possible. With winter conditions approaching, it’s critical that we help individuals secure the support and resources they need now, so communities can stabilize and begin rebuilding with dignity, stability, and care.”

Abshire will serve as Deputy Incident Commander for two weeks.

“EMAC remains an invaluable tool that allows states to share experience, personnel, and resources when disasters strike,” said ADEM Director AJ Gary.

EMAC is a national mutual aid agreement among all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. It enables states to share personnel, equipment, and resources during times of disaster or emergency. Through EMAC, states can rapidly request and receive assistance, ensuring an efficient, coordinated response to large-scale incidents that exceed local or state capabilities.

The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state’s homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters, and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.