Alaska Communities Devastated by Typhoon Halong Face Housing Crisis

Wed Oct 15 2025 10:55:16 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Amid severe damage from the remnants of Typhoon Halong, local officials in Alaska are urgently seeking housing for displaced residents as winter approaches.

Communities in Southwest Alaska are reeling from the impacts of Typhoon Halong, which left hundreds homeless and caused significant damage. Officials report three fatalities and extensive destruction, particularly in Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, where nearly all homes were affected. Rapid response efforts are complicated by the severe remoteness of the area and the arrival of winter, posing challenges for long-term recovery and supply distribution.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — In the wake of Typhoon Halong's destruction, officials in Alaska are scrambling to find temporary housing for residents of coastal villages severely impacted by the storm. With impending winter storms threatening to worsen the situation, rapid recovery efforts are underway.

The remnants of Typhoon Halong unleashed high winds and storm surges on low-lying Alaska Native communities along the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, displacing over 1,300 individuals. Two dozen rescuers, including Coast Guard personnel, were required to evacuate people trapped in homes that had been swept off their foundations.

Among the hardest-hit are Kipnuk, with a population of 715, and Kwigillingok, home to 380 residents. Both communities rely heavily on seasonal resources for winter sustenance, and the storm has jeopardized their ability to store food, with reports of destroyed fuel depots and ruined freezers holding vital supplies like salmon and moose.

Mark Roberts, incident commander with the state emergency management division, stated, It’s catastrophic in Kipnuk. Let’s not paint any other picture. He emphasized the pressing need for assistance.

Efforts to accommodate displaced individuals have centered on vernacular shelters, including schools. One shelter even lacks access to basic sanitation, raising health concerns amidst the crises. As local shelters fill, officials are considering moving some evacuees to the National Guard armory in Bethel or even transporting them to larger cities such as Fairbanks and Anchorage for more permanent housing solutions.

According to several locals and specialists, rebuilding options are limited due to the season. Rick Thoman, a climate specialist, pointed out the remarkable resilience of Alaska's indigenous communities but stressed that the challenges are immense when entire villages face substantial damage.

Winter is rapidly approaching, and officials are under pressure to secure basic necessities. With every home in Kwigillingok reported damaged, crews are racing against the clock to deliver supplies and support before the onset of harsher weather conditions.