Alaskan Communities Devastated by Typhoon Halong
JUNEAU, Alaska – A significant airlift operation occurred on Wednesday, moving hundreds of residents from coastal villages that were severely impacted by high waves and strong winds following Typhoon Halong last weekend, according to officials.
The storm resulted in unprecedented water levels in two low-lying areas, leading to the loss of some homes. Tragically, one person has died and two remain missing. Quickly assembled temporary shelters have accommodated around 1,500 people, which is quite notable for this typically sparsely populated region, which is usually accessible only by air or water.
The remote nature of these communities, combined with the extensive damage, has complicated the logistics of getting necessary resources where they’re needed. As responders shift their focus from immediate search and rescue to stabilizing the situation and restoring vital services, information about the extent of the damage has started to emerge.
In Kipnuk and Kwigilingok, near the Bering Sea, water levels surged over 6 feet above the normal high-water mark. An emergency management spokesperson, Jeremy Zidek, noted that local leaders requested the evacuation of more than 1,000 residents from these areas.
Officials from emergency management have warned that some homes might not be suitable for re-occupation, even following emergency repairs, and may be uninhabitable come winter. With rain and possible snow in the forecast for this weekend, temperatures are expected to drop below freezing soon.
Mark Roberts, the incident commander from the state Office of Emergency Management, emphasized the priority is to “ensure people are kept safe, warm, and cared for while we work with our partners to restore essential services.” In Kwigilingok, where about 350 people were evacuated on Tuesday night, toilets have started functioning again, but severe damage to many homes has resulted in warnings from local leaders against re-entering them.
On Wednesday, approximately 300 evacuees were brought to Anchorage, roughly 500 miles from the affected villages, by the National Guard and Veterans Affairs Department. They were set to be housed in the Alaska Airlines Center, which has the capacity for about 400 people. However, the evacuation center in Bethel, a regional hub in southwest Alaska, is nearing full capacity.
Zidek mentioned uncertainty about how long the evacuation efforts might last, noting authorities are searching for additional facilities to house evacuees. The immediate focus is on moving individuals from large evacuation centers to more stable accommodations, such as hotels or dormitories.
This ongoing crisis has drawn attention to the cuts the Trump administration made to funding that supported small Native American villages in preparing for storms and reducing disaster risks. For instance, a $20 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant intended for flood protection in Kipnuk was canceled by the administration, a decision challenged by environmental advocates. This grant was crucial for safeguarding the local boardwalk and river that are vital for residents’ transportation.
The Public Rights Project, which works with Kipnuk, reported that while their efforts included purchasing essential equipment, no specific project would have likely prevented the recent flooding. Nonetheless, actions such as removing abandoned fuel tanks could have mitigated some of the impacts of the flooding.
“What’s happening in Kipnuk illustrates the real consequences of withdrawing promised support to communities facing these challenges,” stated Jill Habig, CEO of the Public Rights Project. “These grants are meant to assist local governments in preparing for and adapting to the increasing effects of climate change. Breaking that promise endangers people’s safety, homes, and futures.”
