Severe Flooding in Alaska Forces Evacuation After Typhoon Halong

Fri Oct 17 2025 07:55:14 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Hundreds of residents in the coastal villages of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok are being evacuated due to record flooding caused by the remnants of Typhoon Halong, with serious damage reported and rescue operations ongoing.

After the remnants of Typhoon Halong generated devastating high surf and winds, Alaska is experiencing one of its largest airlifts in history. Coastal villages like Kipnuk and Kwigillingok are facing unprecedented flooding, displacing over 1,500 residents, and prompting state emergency management to seek evacuations. Damage assessments reveal extensive destruction, including 121 homes lost in Kipnuk, with ongoing challenges to stabilize basic services and restore safety amid fears of further weather complications.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — An urgent airlift operation is underway in Alaska, as hundreds are evacuated from coastal villages severely affected by severe flooding attributed to the remnants of Typhoon Halong. The storm has caused record-high water levels, overwhelming low-lying communities of Kipnuk and Kwigillingok.

The Typhoon brought relentless surf and winds that led to catastrophic flooding, with at least one fatality reported and two individuals unaccounted for. Makeshift shelters were established rapidly, accommodating around 1,500 displaced individuals in an area known for its sparse population and challenging access.

State emergency management efforts are focused on providing immediate safety and restoring essential services as damage assessments reveal extensive destruction. In Kipnuk alone, 121 homes were swept away, directly impacting its population of approximately 700.

Evacuation efforts have seen around 300 evacuees transported to Anchorage, with additional shelters being explored to accommodate those in need. Resources have been strained as local shelters near capacity, and humanitarian conditions are becoming critical.

Emergency officials reported renewed efforts to restore cell service and operational facilities like restrooms in Kwigillingok, where many evacuees have sought refuge. Safety concerns prevent inhabitants from re-entering damaged homes, complicating relocation efforts.

With winter fast approaching and predictions of rain and snow, the urgency for shelter and support is magnified. The state is working in collaboration with local partners to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected.

The disaster has also raised awareness surrounding funding cuts from the previous administration, which limited community preparedness efforts against such environmental challenges, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of the region to climate-related disasters.