Alaska Flooding: Hundreds Evacuated After Typhoon Halong’s Remnants Cause Devastation
Approximately 300 residents impacted by catastrophic flooding in western Alaska arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage today, following a powerful storm surge and high winds from the remnants of Typhoon Halong.
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region experienced wind gusts reaching 80-100 mph, driving a storm surge that pushed water several feet above normal high tide levels, inundating entire towns and villages. At least one person has died, 51 have been rescued, and more than 40 communities, including Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, have been significantly affected. This disaster highlights the increasing vulnerability of remote Alaskan communities to extreme weather events intensified by climate change.
Water levels in Kipnuk reached 6.6 feet above the normal high-tide mark, surpassing the previous record set in 2000, according to the National Weather Service. Satellite imagery from Vantor reveals the extensive damage, with dozens of buildings damaged or completely washed away. Alaska’s Department of Transportation reports damage to over 50 community airports and roads, critical infrastructure for these largely roadless areas. “Typhoon Halong has devastated our region and disrupted the lives of all our residents,” said Coastal Villages Region Fund CEO Eric Deakin. “People have lost loved ones, homes, belongings, in some cases their entire community and their way of life.”
The National Guard has delivered over 21,000 pounds of gear and supplies to the region, focusing on removing wet insulation and pumping water from flooded homes. The Red Cross notes that the storm threatens traditional food storage for the winter months in communities reliant on a subsistence lifestyle; learn more about Red Cross disaster relief efforts in Alaska. Officials are continuing to assess the damage and coordinate long-term recovery efforts.
