A person has died, and two individuals are missing in western Alaska following the aftermath of Typhoon Halong over the weekend, which brought hurricane-force winds, devastating storm surges, and floodwaters that destroyed some homes, as per authorities. Over 50 people have been rescued, with some being rescued from rooftops, officials reported, emphasizing the long recovery process ahead and the ongoing need for support for the most affected communities.
Captain Christopher Culpepper, a U.S. Coast Guard official, described the situation in the villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok as “complete devastation.” Alaska State Troopers confirmed the rescue of at least 51 individuals and two dogs in Kipnuk and Kwigillingok post the severe storm. The National Weather Service noted significant storm surges in both locations.
In Kwigillingok, a woman was found deceased, and two people are still missing, according to troopers. Initially, reports of missing individuals in Kipnuk were being verified; however, troopers later confirmed that no one was missing there. The Coastal Villages Region Fund, a non-profit organization, stated that the majority of residents in both communities sought shelter in local schools.
Kwigillingok, a predominantly Indigenous community situated on the western shore of Kuskokwim Bay near the mouth of the Kuskokwim River, is home to around 380 people. A report prepared in 2022 by the Alaska Institute for Justice for local Indigenous residents highlighted the escalating frequency and severity of flooding in the low-lying region, emphasizing the urgent need for community relocation.
Apart from housing issues, residents impacted by the storm across the region reported power outages, lack of running water, spoiled subsistence foods stored in freezers, and damage to home-heating systems, which could pose challenges during the upcoming winter months. Witnesses like Jamie Jenkins from Napakiak described the storm as the most severe they had witnessed, recounting powerful winds and rapidly rising waters.
During a press conference led by Governor Mike Dunleavy, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan of Alaska pledged to prioritize climate resilience and infrastructure funding for the state, stressing the importance of these funds in light of the recent natural disasters. The erosion and melting permafrost in Alaska are exacerbating risks to infrastructure and entire communities, underscoring the urgent need for action to address the impacts of climate change.