Severe Weather Devastates Alaska Native Communities Amid Typhoon Aftermath

Wed Oct 15 2025 17:54:10 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Heavy rains and strong winds from the remnants of Typhoon Halong have caused catastrophic damage to two Alaskan villages, leaving residents homeless and in urgent need of shelter. As the community grapples with the aftermath, the long road to recovery looms with the impending winter.

Severe weather resulting from Typhoon Halong has devastated Kipnuk and Kwigillingok in Alaska, displacing over 1,500 residents. With at least one fatality and ongoing searches for the missing, officials warn of a lengthy recovery process amidst urgent housing needs. Community resilience is tested as recovery efforts are hampered by climate change-fueled storms.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Heavy rains and powerful winds from the remnants of Typhoon Halong are predicted to continue affecting the Alaskan coast, where two small villages have suffered catastrophic damage. More than 1,500 residents have been displaced as emergency officials scramble to provide shelter.

The storm over the weekend led to high winds and surging surf, particularly impacting the low-lying Alaska Native communities in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region, approximately 500 miles (800 km) from Anchorage. Reports indicate at least one person has died, while two others remain missing, prompting the Coast Guard to conduct several rescue operations after homes were reported to have floated away.

As the storm's effects linger, hundreds of evacuees are temporarily housed in school shelters, one of which is lacking basic sanitation facilities. Emergency services are striving to secure longer-term shelter solutions in cities like Bethel, Fairbanks, and Anchorage.

Kipnuk, home to approximately 715 residents, and Kwigillingok, with around 380 residents, were hit the hardest by the storm. Local emergency officials describe the situation in Kipnuk as catastrophic, prompting urgent calls for additional resources and support.

Evacuees from Kipnuk have shared harrowing stories about seeing homes float away during the storm. The community is now grappling with the emotional impact of potentially losing their homes and neighbors.

Reports indicate a lethal combination of rising seas and severe erosion has left many homes damaged or completely uninhabitable. Authorities are working tirelessly to provide food, water, and essential supplies, all while the clock ticks down toward the inevitable winter.

With climate change exacerbating the intensity of storms, local officials are calling for sustained support for these impasse communities as they strategize their long-term recovery, emphasizing the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities in Alaska.