Alaskan Indigenous Communities Devastated by Typhoon Halong's Aftermath

Wed Oct 22 2025 02:04:43 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In the wake of Typhoon Halong's remnants, Alaskan Native communities face severe destruction and displacement, revealing the urgent need for support and climate resilience.

More than 1,500 residents from the Alaskan Native communities of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok are being sheltered after devastating floods caused by Typhoon Halong's remnants. The storm rendered many homes uninhabitable, leading to a long road to recovery with harsh winter conditions approaching. Community members express heartbreak as they are forced to evacuate, illustrating the precarious situation of indigenous communities in an era of accelerated climate change.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — As rain and wind continue to lash the Alaskan coast, two small villages are reeling from the destruction left by the remnants of Typhoon Halong, leading to urgent evacuation efforts for over 1,500 displaced residents.

The weekend storm brought fierce winds and surf that devastated the low-lying Alaska Native communities of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in southwestern Alaska. Tragically, at least one person has lost their life, and search efforts continue for two missing individuals. The Coast Guard rescued dozens as homes were swept away into the sea.

Many have found temporary refuge in schools and shelters, including one without functioning toilets. Officials in the regional hub of Bethel are working around the clock to provide aid amidst dwindling options this late in the year.

Kipnuk, with about 715 residents, and Kwigillingok, home to 380, are among the hardest-hit. Mark Roberts, incident commander with the state emergency management division, described the devastation in Kipnuk as catastrophic.

A particularly poignant account comes from Brea Paul of Kipnuk, who watched cars and homes floating precariously through the night, with some blinking their lights as if asking for help. In a community meeting at a school gym, residents gathered to share songs and plan their uncertain futures.

In Kwigillingok, the search for missing residents continued amid dire conditions. The school on-site is the town's only facility with power, while officials work to repair the inadequate sanitation facilities.

In addition to the immediate needs for food and water, communities face a daunting rebuilding process, further complicated by winter's rapid approach. Rick Thoman, an Alaskan climate specialist, highlighted that the intensity of these storms is exacerbated by climate change, leaving indigenous communities susceptible to ongoing environmental challenges.

This storm follows Typhoon Merbok, which caused widespread damage across western Alaska just three years ago, underscoring the increasing frequency and severity of weather events that threaten these vulnerable populations.