Within 24 hours of the Dec. 2 landslide, half the American Legion was filled with food, clothing and toiletries donated by Haines locals to help those who had evacuated their homes. Ceri Godinez photo.

Natural disasters like the widespread flooding and landslides in Haines can bring out the best in people-an outpouring of volunteerism, donations and small acts of kindness-but the situation is also ripe for scammers, according to state officials.

On Friday, Haines resident…