The city of Anchorage is preparing to welcome up to 2,000 people displaced by the catastrophic storm that hit Western Alaska on Sunday. Mayor Suzanne LaFrance said she expects many will stay through the winter.

“We’ll do everything we can to help folks and to do our best to provide a safe and welcome environment where they can heal and have stability as they work to rebuild,” she said in an interview Thursday.

About 260 evacuees arrived Wednesday. Hundreds more arrived Thursday, with additional groups expected in the coming days.

LaFrance said some will likely stay with friends or family. But many will need housing. The city is standing up shelters at the Alaska Airlines Center, the Egan Center and the Fairview and Spenard recreation centers. Together, they can house up to about 1,2

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