ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The devastation of remote Alaskan villages by severe flooding has left over 2,000 residents displaced, many of whom will not be able to return home for at least 18 months, confirmed Governor Mike Dunleavy in his request for a major disaster declaration from the White House.


In Kipnuk, one of the hardest-hit areas, preliminary assessments indicate that 90% of homes have been destroyed. In Kwigillingok, many homes have been swept away entirely. The remnants of Typhoon Halong struck with the force of a Category 2 hurricane, killing one person, leaving another two missing, and leading to widespread rescues.


Alaska officials are scrambling to airlift residents from the inundated regions. Those displaced are currently sheltering in schools and community centers nearby or have been evacuated to Anchorage via military planes.


In Anchorage, officials anticipate around 1,600 evacuees will arrive in a matter of days, as the Alaska National Guard has already airlifted around 575 people to sports arenas and convention centers for temporary housing. Efforts are being made to transition these individuals into short-term accommodations such as hotels, before finding more permanent solutions.


“Many survivors will struggle to return to their communities this winter due to the harsh Arctic conditions alongside the extensive damage,” Governor Dunleavy highlighted. Disaster response agencies are working on rapid repairs and support but face significant challenges due to the geographical isolation of these communities.


The federal government has begun assisting with search and rescue operations, damage assessments, and evacuation efforts. Urging swift action, Alaska’s congressional delegation has reached out to President Donald Trump appealing for federal assistance through a disaster declaration.


Villages in this sparsely populated region typically have only a few hundred residents who rely on local hunting and fishing for food. Adjusting to life in Anchorage presents a significant lifestyle change for these evacuees.


One evacuee, Alexie Stone from Kipnuk, now in Anchorage with family, shared his hopes for the future: “We’re starting a new life here,” as he contemplates finding work in a grocery store.


City officials in Anchorage are committed to assisting those displaced, with Mayor Suzanne LaFrance expressing deep sympathy for the losses experienced by their neighbors during this devastating situation. “We will do everything we can here to help them through this difficult time,” she vowed.


State Rep. Nellie Unangiq Jimmie of Toksook Bay shared her harrowing experience during the storm and expressed gratitude for Anchorage’s hospitality. “You are showing my people, my relatives, my constituents, that even far from home, this is still Alaska land,” she concluded, highlighting the resilience and unity among Alaskans in times of need.