Hurricane-force winds and floods impact dozens of Native communities
On the night of October 11, the remnants of Typhoon Halong struck Alaska’s southwest coast, bringing hurricane-force winds and record flooding to multiple Native villages. State officials reported that more than a thousand people have been displaced, as emergency teams continue assessing the full extent of the destruction.
The storm caused severe infrastructure damage, including downed power lines, destroyed walkways, and homes swept away—some with families still inside. One person was confirmed dead and two others remain missing. Alaska’s governor has requested a federal disaster declaration, and the State Emergency Operations Center remains at its highest level of response.
Most affected regions and ongoing assessments
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, a vast area in western Alaska that lies outside the state’s main road system, was among the hardest hit. The coastal villages of Kipnuk y Kwigillingok experienced near-total devastation, prompting large-scale evacuations. State and regional health officials have reported damage across nearly 50 villages, though the number of people who will be permanently displaced is still unclear.
Evacuation challenges and cultural ties to the land
Evacuation efforts were hampered by the area’s remoteness and by damaged airstrips, forcing some operations to rely on helicopters and Coast Guard aircraft. Initially, many displaced residents sought shelter in schools, but limited heat, fuel, and water made relocation necessary. People were moved first to Bethel, then to Anchorage, about 400 miles away.
Despite the destruction, many community members expressed reluctance to leave their ancestral lands. The Yup’ik people of the Kuskokwim Delta rely heavily on year-round subsistence hunting and fishing. Beyond the material losses, residents also mourned the damage to ancestral graves, as floodwaters unearthed burial sites that hold deep historical and spiritual significance.
